SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALISM. 249 







of science than the small subdivision of a branch to which 

 he has so meritoriously devoted himself." Mark the 

 words, "small subdivision of a branch." Merely a twig of 

 the tree of science is, according to this most unveracious 

 writer, all that Dr. Huggins has ever studied. 



If a personal vindication were the business of this letter 

 I could easily show that these statements respecting the 

 avocations, the scientific training, and actual attainments 

 of Dr. Huggins are gross and atrocious misrepresentations; 

 but Dr. Huggins has no need of my championship; his 

 high scientific position, the breadth and depth of his gen- 

 eral attainments, and the fact that he is not Huggins the 

 brewer, are sufficiently known to all in the scientific world, 

 with the exception of the " Quarterly" reviewer. 



My object is not to discuss the personal question whether 

 book-making and dredging afford better or worse training 

 for experimental inquiry than the marvelously exact and 

 exquisitely delicate manipulations of the modern observa- 

 tory and laboratory, but to protest against this attempt to 

 stop the progress of investigation, to damage the true in- 

 terests of science and the cause of truth, by throwing low 

 libellous mud upon any and everybody who steps at all 

 aside from the beaten paths of ordinary investigation. 



The true business of science is the discovery of truth; to 

 seek it wherever it may be found, to pursue it through bye- 

 ways as well as highways, and, having found it, to proclaim 

 it plainly and fearlessly, without regard to authority, fash- 

 ion, or prejudice. If, however, such influential magazines as 

 the" Quarterly Review" are to be converted into the vehicles 

 of artful and elaborate efforts to undermine the scientific 

 reputation of any man who thus does his scientific duty, the 

 time for plain speaking and vigorous protest has arrived. 



My readers will be glad to learn that this is the general 

 feeling of the leading scientific men of the metropolis; 

 whatever they may think of the particular investigations 

 of Mr. Crookes, they are unanimous in expressing their de- 

 nunciations of this article. 



The attack upon Mr. Crookes is still more malignant than 

 that upon Dr. Huggins. Speaking of Mr. Crookes's fel- 

 lowship of the Royal Society, the reviewer says: " We speak 



