1854] WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. 329 



This truth however is not generally appreciated, and the 

 tendency is to look merely at the immediate results of the 

 application of science to art, and to liberally reward and 

 honor those who simply apply known facts rather than those 

 who discover new principles. 



From what we have said it would appear that, in order 

 that civilization should remain stationary, it is absolutely 

 necessar}'' that the great truths which have been established 

 should not become diluted, obscured, or forgotten; that their 

 place should not be usurped by error; or in other words, that 

 the great principles of science, which have been established 

 through long years of toil and nights of vigilance, should 

 not be superseded by petty conceits, b}'' hasty and partial 

 generalizations, and by vague speculations or empirical rules. 

 Further, that civilization should not retrograde, it is indis- 

 pensably necessary that the great truths of morality should 

 not only be theoretically taught and intellectually appre- 

 hended, but actively, constantly, and habitually applied. 

 But this state of things can only exist by means of the 

 efforts of individuals actuated by a generous, liberal, and 

 enlightened philanthropy. Unfortunately however the tend- 

 ency of civilization, from the increase of wealth and se- 

 curity, is to relax individual effort. Man is naturally an 

 indolent being, and unless actuated by strong inducements 

 or educated by coercion to habits of industry, his tendenc}' 

 is to supineness and inaction. In a rude state of society an 

 individual is dependent upon his own exertions for the pro- 

 tection of himself, his family, and his property; but as 

 civilization advances, personal effort is less required, and he 

 relies more and more on law and executive government. 

 Moreover, as wealth and elementary education become more 

 general without a corresponding increase of higher instruc- 

 tion, the voice of the profound teacher becomes less and less 

 audible; his precepts and admonitions less and less regarded ; 

 he is himself obliged to comply with popular prejudices and 

 conform to public opinion, however hastily formed or capri- 

 cious such an opinion may be. Hence the tendency to court 

 popular favor, to be influenced by it, rather than attempt to 



