GUSTAV MAGNUS. 19 



tinues the function of the latter, in order to arrive at 

 still simpler and still more general laws of phenomena. 



It cannot be doubted that this analytical tendency 

 of physical inquiry has assumed another character ; 

 that it has just cast off that which was the means of 

 placing Magnus towards it in some degree of antago- 

 nism. He tried to maintain, at least in former years, 

 that the business of the mathematical and that of 

 the experimental physicist are quite distinct from one 

 another; that a young man who wishes to pursue 

 physics would have to decide between the two. It 

 appears to me, on the contrary, that the conviction is 

 constantly gaining ground, that in the present more 

 advanced state of science those only can experi- 

 mentalise profitably who have a clear-sighted know- 

 ledge of theory, and know how to propound and pursue 

 the right questions ; and, on the other hand, only 

 those can theorise with advantage who have great 

 practice in experiments. The discovery of spectrum 

 analysis is the most brilliant example within our 

 recollection of such an interpenet ration of theoretical 

 knowledge and experimental skill. 



I am not aware whether Magnus subsequently ex- 

 pressed other views as to the relation of experimental 

 and mathematical physics. In any case, those who 

 regard his former desertion of mathematical physics 

 as a reaction against the misuse of speculation carried 



c 2 



