472 WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. [1871 



communications. He can (in many cases at least) derive 

 from them the indication that he has failed to present on 

 some points a clear statement of his investigations ; or that 

 in some other points his conclusions are not fully sustained 

 by the premises. Unfortunately, it frequently happens that 

 persons of a sensitive disposition are apt to consider criticisms 

 of the kind we have mentioned as personal attacks, and feel 

 that it is as offensive to doubt the accuracy of their experi- 

 ments or conclusions, as it is to doubt their word. It should 

 be recollected however that the most gifted are liable to err, 

 and that these criticisms are prior to publication, and there- 

 fore of value to the permanent reputation of both the indi- 

 vidual and the society. 



Another important matter in regard to such a society is 

 the publication of its proceedings. If its object were merely 

 the intellectual and moral improvement of its members it 

 might dispense with any publication whatever, — even with 

 the announcement of its existence. If however it aspires 

 to the more important office of advancing science or of 

 enlarging the bounds of thought and assisting to diffuse 

 a knowledge of new truths, it should then publish — if not 

 quarto volumes of transactions — at least a bulletin of its pro- 

 ceedings. This j)ublication should present an exposition of 

 the organization of the society, its constitution and by-laws, 

 give a list of the members, a synopsis of the contents of all 

 communications submitted for consideration, and an account 

 of important facts which may be elicited during discussions 

 or recalled to memory at the moment by association of ideas. 



Such a bulletin will enable the members of the society to 

 publish without delay through a proper channel a synopsis 

 of their investigations, and also minor facts and inferences 

 not considered in themselves of sufficient importance to form 

 a communication to a scientific journal or to occupy a place 

 in philosophical transactions. Such facts are nevertheless 

 frequently found to be valuable contributions to the general 

 stock of knowledge. Were it possessed of the requisite funds 

 the society might establish a higher reputation by the pub- 

 lication of independent transactions. Inasmuch as this is 



