1879.J on the Electric L'ujU. 23 



intellectual stimulus. " The ancients discovered the electricity of 

 amber; and Gilbert, in the year IGOO, extended the discovery to other 

 bodies. Then followed Boyle, Von Guerieke, Gray, Canton, Du Fay, 

 Kleist, Cunreus, and Franklin. But their form of electricity, though 

 tried, did not come into practical use. Then appeared the great Italian 

 Volta, who discovered the source of electricity Avhieh bears his name, 

 and applied to its development the most j^rofound insight, and the most 

 delicate experimental skill. Then arose the man who added to the 

 powers of his intellect all the graces of the human heart, Michael 

 Faraday, the discoverer of the great domain of magneto-electricity. 

 (Ersted discovered the deflection of the magnetic needle, and Arago 

 and Sturgeon the magnetization of iron by the electric current. The 

 voltaic circuit finally found its theoretic Newton in Ohm; while 

 Henry, of Princeton, who had the sagacity to recognize the merits of 

 Ohm while they were still decried in his own country, was at that 

 time in the van of experimental inquiry. 



" In the works of these men you have all the materials employed 

 at this hour in all the forms of the electric telegraph. Nay, more. 

 Gauss the illustrious astronomer, and Weber the illustrious natural 

 philosopher, both professors in the University of Gottingen, wishing 

 to establish a rapid mode of communication between the observatory 

 and the physical cabinet of the University, did this by means of an 

 electric telegraj^h. Thus, before those whom the world calls practical 

 men appeared upon the scene, the force had been discovered, its laws 

 investigated and made sure, the most complete mastery of its phe- 

 nomena had been attained — nay, its aj^plicability to telegraphic 

 purposes demonstrated — by men whose sole reward for their labours 

 was the noble excitement of research, and the joy attendant on the 

 discovery of natural truth." I ought to apologize for thus repro- 

 ducing words uttered by myself in the United States six years ago. 

 But they ajjply with particular emphasis to the recent developments 

 of the electric light. 



" Few," says Pasteur, " seem to comprehend the real origin 

 of the marvels of industry and the wealth of nations. I need 

 no other proof of this than the frequent employment in lectures, 

 speeches, and official language, of the erroneous expression, ' applied 

 science.' A statesman of the greatest talent, stated some time ago, 

 that in our day the reign of theoretic science had rightly yielded place 

 to that of applied science. Nothing, I venture to say, could be more 

 dangerous, even to practical life, than the consequences which might 

 flow from these words. They show the imperious necessity of a 

 reform of our superior education. There exists no category of 

 sciences to which the name of applied science could be given. We 

 have science and the applications of science, which are united as the 

 fruit is to the tree." 



One word more upon what may be called the philosophic bearings 

 of this question. We have amongst us a small cohort of social 



