THE HIGHEST AIM OF THE PHYSICIST 669 



tion in the pure ethereal physics which our society is formed to cultivate, 

 but to the one who uses it for satisfying the physical rather than the 

 intellectual needs of mankind. He who makes two blades of grass grow 

 where one grew before is the benefactor of mankind; but he who ob- 

 scurely worked to find the laws of such growth is the intellectual supe- 

 rior as well as the greater benefactor of the two. 



How stands our country, then, in this respect? My answer must still 

 be now, as it was fifteen years ago, that much of the intellect of the 

 country is still wasted in the pursuit of so-called practical science which 

 ministers to our physical needs and but little thought and money is 

 given to the grander portion of the subject which appeals to our intellect 

 alone. But your presence here gives evidence that such a condition is 

 not to last forever. 



Even in the past we have a few names whom scientists throughout the 

 world delight to honor: Franklin, who almost revolutionized the 

 science of electricity by a few simple but profound experiments; Count 

 Eumford, whose experiments almost demonstrated the nature of heat; 

 Henry, who might have done much for the progress of physics had he 

 published more fully the results of his investigations; Mayer, whose 

 simple and ingenious experiments have been a source of pleasure and 

 profit to many. This is the meager list of those whom death allows me 

 to speak of and who have earned mention here by doing something for 

 the progress of our science. And yet the record has been searched for 

 more than a hundred years. How different had I started to record 

 those who have made useful and beneficial inventions! 



But I know, when I look in the faces of those before me, where the 

 eager intellect and high purpose sit enthroned on bodies possessing the 

 vigor and strength of youth, that the writer of a hundred years hence 

 can no longer throw such a reproach upon our country. Nor can we 

 blame those who have gone before us. The progress of every science 

 shows us the condition of its growth. Very few persons, if isolated in 

 a semi-civilized land, have either the desire or the opportunity of pur- 

 suing the higher branches of science. Even if they should be able to do 

 so, their influence on their science depends upon what they publish 

 and make known to the world. A hermit philosopher we can imagine 

 might make many useful discoveries. Yet, if he keeps them to himself, 

 he can never claim to have benefited the world in any degree. His un- 

 published results are his private gain, but the world is no better off 

 until he has made them known in language strong enough to call atten- 

 tion to them and to convince the world of their truth. Thus, to encour- 

 age the growth of any science, the best thing we can do is to meet 



