54 



HSCOVERY 



CH. 



of inquiry converted, as if by inspiration, into rich and inex- 

 haustible springs of knowledge and power on a simple change of 

 our point of view, or by merely bringing to bear on them some 

 principle which it never occurred before to try, will surely be the 

 very last to acquiesce in any dispiriting prospects of either the 

 present or future destinies of mankind ; while, on the other 

 hand, the boundless views of intellectual and moral, as well as 

 material, relations which open to him on all hands in the course 

 of these pursuits, the knowledge of the trivial place he occupies 

 in the scale of creation, and the sense continually pressed upon 

 him of his own weakness and incapacity to suspend or modify 

 the slightest movement of the vast machinery he sees in action 

 around him, must effectually convince him that humility of 

 pretension, no less than confidence of hope, is what best becomes 

 his character. Sir John Herschel. 



" Blessing, and honour, and glory and power " are 

 not the usual rewards of a life devoted to science. All 

 the benefits of modern civilisation are due to the 

 achievements of science or inventions based upon them ; 

 but neither the multitude nor its masters are familiar 

 with the names of the men whose work has provided 

 the comforts of the present day. If you seek fame and 

 riches, enter not upon a scientific career ; for they are 

 easier won in politics or commerce or many other walks 

 in life. If, however, you will be content with the satis- 

 faction which faithful and unselfish work always brings, 

 Nature offers a rich field in which you can exercise your 

 intellect. 



To qualify for admission into the temple of science it 

 is necessary to offer sacrifices at the altar of know- 

 ledge ; and only those with sincere regard for truth 

 will find their gifts acceptable. Nature must be loved 

 for herself and not for her dowry. The rewards which 

 the world can give may come ; but the discoveries 

 which may bring them can only be secured in the pure 

 quest for the advancement of knowledge. To one alone 



