A PLEA FOR PURE SCIENCE l 



ADDRESS AS VICE-PRESIDENT OF SECTION B OP THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE 

 ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A0GUST 15, 1883 



[Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, XXXII, 105-126, 

 1883 ; Science, II, 242-250, 1883 ; Journal of Franklin Institute, CXVI, 279-299, 1883] 



The question is sometimes asked us as to the time of year we like 

 the best. To my mind, the spring is the most delightful; for Nature 

 then recovers from the apathy of winter, and stirs herself to renewed 

 life. The leaves grow, and the buds open, with a suggestion of vigor 

 delightful to behold; and we revel in this ever-renewed life. But this 

 cannot always last. The leaves reach their limit; the buds open to the 

 full and pass away. Then we begin to ask ourselves whether all this 

 display has been in vain, or whether it has led to a bountiful harvest. 



So this magnificent country of ours has rivalled the vigor of spring 

 in its growth. Forests have been leveled, and cities built and a large and 

 powerful nation has been created on the face of the earth. We are proud 

 of our advancement. We are proud of such cities as this, founded in a 

 day upon a spot over which but a few years since, the red man hunted 

 the buffalo. But we must remember that this is only the spring of 

 our country. Our glance must not be backward; for, however beautiful 

 leaves and blossoms are, and however marvelous their rapid increase, 

 they are but leaves and blossoms after all. Rather should we look 

 forward to discover what will be the outcome of all this and what the 

 chance of harvest. For if we do this in time, we may discover the worm 

 which threatens the ripe fruit, or the barren spot where the harvest is 

 withering for want of water. 



I am required to address the so-called physical section of this asso- 



1 In using the word " science," I refer to physical science, as I know nothing of 

 natural science. Probably my remarks will, however, apply to both, but I do not 

 know. 

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