1871] WRITINGS OP JOSEPH HENRY. 475 



much may be done by the association of minds determined 

 on a common pursuit ; how much (under such conditions as 

 exist in the city of Washington), may be effected in the way 

 of directing attention to special lines of investigation, in 

 suggesting questions to be asked of nature, and in pointing 

 out the ready means by which the answers may be elicited, 

 by arousing into activity talents that without such stimulus 

 and suggestion would ever remain dormant. 



The bane of many societies is the time consumed in de- 

 tails of business and in the discussion of non-essential points 

 relative to their government. Happily, the organization 

 adopted by this Society obviates this evil and secures the 

 devotion of almost every evening exclusively to its legitimate 

 purposes. For the government of men whose object is the 

 advance of truth,hut few rules are necessary, and these (unlike 

 the laws of the Medes and Persians — expressed in inexorable 

 codes) must consist of simple principles, readily adaptable 

 to all contingencies. 



In conclusion, I would say that with so many facilities as 

 exist in the city of Washington for the pursuit of science, 

 this Society would be derelict of duty did it fail to materially 

 aid — through communion of thought and concert of action, 

 the advancement of the great cause of human improvement. 

 I am happy in cherishing the opinion however that the suc- 

 cess of " The Philosophical Society of Washington " is scarcely 

 any longer problematical, and in this I am sustained by the 

 record of its transactions. 



