RESEARCH 105 



Mathematical Physics, to the constructive work of 

 applying mathematical methods to various species 

 of practical problems. As in other branches of 

 science, the most far-reaching discoveries in mathe- 

 matics have been made for the most part by persons 

 whose primary interests were in the subject itself, 

 and not in the applications outside. Any attempt 

 to discourage perfectly untrammelled research in 

 those parts of the subject that are most remote 

 from practical interests, or that show least promise 

 of fruitful application in other branches of science, 

 would not only be a vital blow to Mathematics 

 as an ever growing Science, but would ultimately 

 impair its efficiency as an instrument. Mathe- 

 matics can only flourish if it has full autonomy. 

 The nature and direction of its future applications 

 in pure and applied science can never be fully 

 foreseen. It is however extremely probable that 

 the services it will render in the future will cover 

 an even greater range than in the past, provided 

 it is allowed to fit itself for rendering such services 

 by according it full opportunity to develop itself 

 in accordance with its own nature. 



