46 PROGRESS OF SCIENCE IN THE CENTURY. 



that there are few facts more marvellous and inspir- 

 ing than the advancement of science. 



ITS NECESSITY. 



The primary reason for the progressiveness of 

 science is simply that the scientific mood is a natural 

 and necessary expression of the developing human 

 spirit. It may be thwarted, discountenanced, even 

 banned, as it was during the early mediaeval cen- 

 turies, but stifled it cannot be. The innate inquisi- 

 tiveness, the passion for facts, the active scepticism, 

 the desire after lucidity, and the other qualities to 

 which we have referred as characteristics of the 

 scientific mood, may be widespread or confined to 

 small circles of enquirers, may be exhibited in re- 

 gard to all orders of facts or restricted to a single 

 department, but the scientific mood is essential to 

 man's nature, and science wull not cease to progress 

 until both practice and poesy have likewise come to 

 an end. 



There is no doubt that many pieces of scientific 

 research are entered upon with the set purpose of 

 solving practical problems; on the other hand much 

 scientific activity is as spontaneous and instinctive as 

 a great part of artistic activity is : in other words, it 

 is a natural expression of the man. In evidence of 

 this, at a time when the pursuit of science is so often 

 a " profession " and a ^' Brodwissenschafty^^ one may 

 recall that up and down through the country one 

 finds many obscure enthusiasts pursuing in their lei- 

 sure hours, or in hours when others sleep, some 

 path of scientific enquiry — astronomical, geological, 

 botanical, zoological, or otherwise — in most cases 

 without hope of or wish for reward, without desire 



