44 
world. If he has the necessary qualities it is very unfortunate if his cir- 
cumstances do not permit their most fruitful activity; if he has not, let him 
serve his institution in other ways for which he is better fitted—ways of 
equal importance. Few men can spend several hours daily with classes, 
‘several more in administrative work, one or two more in committees, and 
have any vitality left either for research or professional growth. 
The greatest need of most successful college teachers is more time to 
think. The evil effects of the prevalent rush become apparent only very 
‘slowly—in the course of years—in a gradually failing effectiveness for lack 
of mental nourishment. No ome can use a few minutes now and then, 
snatched from the mere urgent duties of the moment, to do or even think 
real research; ideas do not come on demand, interruptions are often fatal 
to inspiration, experimental work often must be continuous to lead to 
results; investigation that is worth while is not a routine operation to be 
started and stopped by a gong; there must be mental growth as a back- 
eround. It would probably be economical in the long run if the real 
teacher-investigator could be assured of uninterrupted privacy for half of 
every day. 
In addition to time for thought, reading, experimentation and writing. 
the teacher of science needs space and material equipment. There is a 
temptation to spend money most freely in ways that lead to the most tan- 
gible results, and would-be benefactors may cause serious embarrassment 
by providing buildings without equipment or endowment; blessed be the 
liberal contributors to the “general fund,’ meaning equipment and, most 
important of all, competent men. ; 
In the providing of suitable buildings with limited means, circumstances 
must decide how much can be devoted to what may be called luxuries and 
quality as against necessities and quantity; it is certainly desirable to have 
buildings as beautiful as possible, but not at the expense of adequate size 
and equipment. 
300ks are too often a crying need; they cost so much and they show so 
little: and yet without them research is impossible. ‘The most serious lack 
is usually that of complete files of the scientific journals, which can never 
be purchased on a non-accumulating allowance of a hundred dollars a year. 
The value of the library habit te the student can hardly be overestimated, 
but to develop this plenty of books and an attractive place for reading them 
are almost indispensable. low welcome to the business manager of many 
