248 SCIENCE. [x. 



and them we will advise you to believe. To tlie 

 scientific man, on the other hand, as often as anything 

 is discovered unpleasing to them, they will say, 

 imperiously and e cathedra Your new theory contra- 

 dicts the established facts of science. For they will 

 know well that whatever the men of science think of 

 their assertion, the masses will believe it ; totally un- 

 aware that the speakers are by their very terms show- 

 ing their ignorance of science ; and that what they call 

 established facts scientific men call merely provisional 

 conclusions, which they would throw away to-morrow 

 without a pang were the known facts explained better 

 by a fresh theory, or did fresh facts require one. 



This has happened too often. It is in the interest 

 of superstition that it should happen again ; and the 

 best way to prevent it surely is to tell the masses 

 Scientific method is no peculiar mystery, requiring a 

 peculiar initiation. It is simply common sense, com- 

 bined with uncommon courage, which includes uncom- 

 mon honesty and uncommon patience ; and if you will 

 be brave, honest, patient, and rational, you will need no 

 mystagogues to tell you what in science to believe and 

 what not to believe ; for you will be just as good judges 

 of scientific facts and theories as those who assume 

 the right of guiding your convictions. You are men 

 and women : and more than that you need not be. 



And let me say that the man of our days whose 

 writings exemplify most thoroughly what I am going 

 to say is the justly revered Mr. Thomas Carlyle. 



As far as I know he has never written on any scien- 

 tific subject. For aught I am aware of, he may know 

 nothing of mathematics or chemistry, of comparative 

 anatomy or geology. For aught I am aware of, he 



