1894. NOTES AND COMMENTS. 403 



we blame not Government, but men of science. In all matters touch- 

 ing State-craft the habit of these is to hold aloof superiorly, leaving 

 mere politics to the common man, or to rush belated into a con- 

 troversy, delaying compromise by new discharge of venom. The savant 

 in his laboratory, ignorant of the bombardment of his city, is a figure 

 that tickles the fancy, but should offend the judgment. The irruption 

 into the Irish controversy of a great scientific man, since unhappily 

 dead, and his easy pre-eminence among irreconcilable and turbulent 

 partisans, was food for laughter and tears. Scientific men have no 

 right to wait till controversies strike down to their elemental passions. 

 They must take their part as citizens in daily conduct of the State. 

 Otherwise, when the pinch comes, they will be unschooled in the 

 diametrical opposition between political and scientific knowledge as 

 bases of action. In scientific action the expedient depends upon the 

 recognition of what may be certain among facts ; in political action 

 the expedient depends upon the recognition that no facts are certain. 



Thus scientific men have succeeded in gaining a reputation, 

 especially among politicians, for acting in the conduct of affairs either 

 negligently or with virulent self-confidence ; whereas the fact is that 

 what error of this kind lies in them is no more frequent than the 

 corresponding error of politicians in matters of science. The defects 

 of the qualities of science may be want of prudence and conciliation : 

 the defects of the qualities of politicians are want of decision and 

 certainty. 



Decision and certainty are absolutely called for in matters like 

 the maintenance of fisheries. There is no room for compromise 

 with nature : knowledge of nature is not opinion, but definite and 

 inevitable fact, and again we must insist that scientific men must be 

 appointed to posts involving scientific training and knowledge in the 

 conduct of the duties. 



But scientific men are to blame in another fashion. Professions 

 like the Law, the Church, or Medicine are close corporations or trade 

 unions, which take vigorous action to support their members. Partly 

 for the advantage of their members, partly for the advantage of Law, 

 or Medicine, or Religion, they secure that every post shall be held by 

 a suitable member of their own bodies : that the untrained and 

 inexpert, whatever their general ability may be, shall not be 

 appointed. 



With us there is nothing corresponding. Here is a field for 

 the British Association : to form a committee that shall be an 

 advisory and consultative board on all matters affecting the interests 

 of Science, and the interests of scientific men. It must be a com- 

 mittee elected by a body large enough and representative enough to 

 convey the imperative judgment of Science, and strong enough to 

 secure that its advice shall be acted upon. Our EngUsh Government 

 is no autocrat that can disregard considerations presented to it by 

 weighty authorities. If retired naval and military officers or mere 



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