FORCE. 437 



sufficiently well acquainted with the history on which 

 he professes to throw light, and on the later phases of 

 which he passes so unreserved (schroff) a judgment. 

 He thus exposes himself to the suspicion which, un- 

 happily, is not weakened by his other writings that 

 the fiery Celtic blood of his country occasionally runs 

 away with him, converting him for the time into a scien- 

 tific Chauvin. Scientific Chauvinism,' adds the learned 

 secretary, ' from which German investigators have 

 hitherto kept free, is more reprehensible (gehassig) 

 than political Chauvinism, inasmuch as self-control 

 (sitttiche Haltung) is more to be expected from men 

 of science, than from the politically excited mass.' 1 



In the case before this ' expectation ' would, I fear, 

 be doomed to disappointment. But Du Bois-Reymond 

 and his countrymen must not accept the writings of 

 Professor Tait as representative of the thought of 

 England. Surely no nation in the world has more 

 effectually shaken itself free from scientific Chauvinism. 

 From the day that Davy, on presenting the Copley 

 medal to Arago, scornfully brushed aside that spurious 

 patriotism which would run national boundaries through 

 the free domain of science, chivalry towards foreigners 

 has been a guiding principle with the Eoyal Society. 



On the more private amenities indulged in by Pro- 

 fessor Tait, I do not consider it necessary to say a 

 word. 



1 Festrede, delivered before the Academy of Sciences of Berlin, 

 in celebration of the birthday of the Emperor and King, March 28> 

 1878. 



