HENRY A. ROWLAND 



research in him, it will always show itself in some form. But circum- 

 stances may direct it into new paths, or may foster it so that what 

 would otherwise have died as a bud now blossoms and ripens into the 

 perfect fruit. 



Americans have shown no lack of invention in small things; and the 

 same spirit when united to knowledge and love of science, becomes the 

 spirit of research. The telegraph-operator, with his limited knowledge 

 of electricity and its laws, naturally turns his attention to the improve- 

 ment of the only electrical instrument he knows anything about; and his 

 researches would be confined to the limited sphere of his knowledge, 

 and to the simple laws with which he is acquainted. But as his knowl- 

 edge increases, and the field broadens before him, as he studies the 

 mathematical theory of the subject, and the electromagnetic theory of 

 light loses the dim haze due to distance, and becomes his constant com- 

 panion, the telegraph instrument becomes to him a toy, and his effort 

 to discover something new becomes research in pure science. 



It is useless to attempt to advance science until one has mastered the 

 science: he must step to the front before his blows can tell in the 

 strife. Furthermore, I do not believe anybody can be thorough in any 

 department of science, without wishing to advance it. In the study of 

 what is known, in the reading of the scientific journals, and the discus- 

 sions therein contained of the current scientific questions, one would 

 obtain an impulse to work, even though it did not before exist; and the 

 same spirit which prompted him to seek what was already known would 

 make him wish to know the unknown. And I may say that I never met 

 a case of thorough knowledge in my own science, except in the case of 

 well-known investigators. I have met men who talked well, and I have 

 sometimes asked myself why they did not do something; but further 

 knowledge of their character has shown the superficiality of their 

 knowledge. I am no longer a believer in men who could do something 

 if they would, or would do something if they had a chance. They are 

 impostors. If the spirit is there, it will show itself in spite of circum- 

 stances. 



As I remarked before, the investigator in pure science is usually a 

 professor. He must teach as well as investigate. It is a question which 

 has been discussed in late years, as to whether these two functions had 

 better be combined in the same individual, or separated. It seems to 

 be the opinion of most, that a certain amount of teaching is conducive, 

 rather than otherwise, to the spirit of research. I myself think that 

 this is true, and I should myself not like to give up my daily lecture; but 



