406 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE 



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 Pro- 

 fessor 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, scorn- 

 fully brushed aside that spurious patriotism which would 

 run national boundaries through the free domain of 

 science, chivalry toward foreigners has been a guiding 

 principle with the Royal Society. 



On the more private amenities indulged in by Pro- 

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



