VI 



PREFACE 



selfishness ; when it is confined to the path of narrow 

 specialisation, it leads to arrogance ; and when its pur- 

 pose is materialistic domination, without regard for the 

 spiritual needs of humanity, it is a social danger and may 

 become an excuse for learned barbarity. But scientific 

 research is rarely inspired by these motives, and devotion 

 to it does not necessarily inhibit response to other notes 

 with which a well-balanced mind should be in symphony. 

 Moreover, direct contact with Nature and inquiry into 

 her laws produce a habit of mind which cannot be 

 acquired in literary fields, and they are associated with 

 a wide outlook on life more often than is usually 

 supposed. 



The relative influence of different studies on the for- 

 mation of character need not be discussed here ; yet 

 the following pages will perhaps show that the spirit 

 of scientific research has inspired the highest ethical 

 thought and action, as well as increased the comforts of 

 life, and added greatly to material welfare. We seek to 

 justify the claim of science to be an ennobling influence 

 as well as a creator of riches ; and therefore as much 

 importance is attached to motive and method as to 

 discovery and industrial development, however marvel- 

 lous or valuable these may be. 



Wherever purposeful inquiry is carried on in the 

 field of Nature, there the spirit of science is manifest, 

 and we learn that worthy intention defines its shape 

 as much as brilliant achievement. For science is 

 not to be measured by practical service alone, though 

 it may contribute to material prosperity : it is an 

 intellectual outlook, a standard of truth and a gospel 

 of light. 



Scientific investigation is not usually undertaken 

 with personal profit in view, and the discoveries to 



