August 25, 1892] 



NATURE 



411 



The library is a necessity of the laboratory. Indeed, there is 

 much in common between what is called the laboratory method, 

 and what might be called the library method, in college training. 

 The educational laboratory was instituted by chemistry, first 

 taking form under Liebig at CJiessen only about fifty years ago. 

 Experimental study has been adopted in one subject after another, 

 until, now, the "laboratory method" is advocated in language 

 and literature, in philosophy and law. It is to be hoped that 

 chemistry will not fall behind in the later applications of " the 

 new education " in which she took so early a part. 



The advancement of chemical science is not confined to dis- 

 covery, nor to education, nor to economic use. All of those 

 interests it should embrace. To disparage one of them is 

 injurious to the others. Indeed, they ought to have equal sup- 

 port. It would be idle to inquire into their respective advantages. 

 This much, however, is evident enough, chemical work is ex- 

 tensive, and there is immediate want of it. 



Various other branches of science are held back by the delay 

 of chemistry. Many of the material resources of the world 

 wait upon its progress. In the century just before us the 

 demands upon the chemist are to be much greater than they have 

 been. All the interests of life are calling for better chemical 

 information. Men are wanting the truth. The biologist on the 

 one hand, and the geologist on the other, are shaming us with 

 interrogatories that ought to be answered. Philosophy lingers 

 for the results of molecular inquiry. Moreover the people are 

 asking direct questions about the food they are to eat, or not to 

 eat, asking more in a day than the analyst is able to answer in a 

 month. The nutritive sources of bodily power are not safe, in 

 the midst of the reckless activity of commerce, unless a chemical 

 safeguard be kept, a guard who must the better prepare himself 

 for his duty. 



Now if the people at large can but gain a more true estimation 

 of the bearing of chemical knowledge, and of the extent of the 

 chemical undertaking, they will more liberally supply the sinews 

 of thorough-going toil. It must be more widely understood that 

 achievements of science, such as have already multiplied the 

 hands of industry, do not come by chances of invention, nor by 

 surprises of genius. It must be learned of these things that they 

 come by breadth of study, by patience in experiment, and by the 

 slow accumulations of numberless workers. And it must be 

 made to appear that the downright labour of science actually 

 depends upon means of daily subsistence. It must be brought 

 home to men of affairs, that laboratories of seclusion with delicate 

 apparatus, that libraries, such has bring all workers together in 

 effect, that these really cost something in the same dollars by 

 which the products of industrial science are measured. Statistics 

 of chemical industry are often used to give point to the claims of 

 science. For instance, it can be said that this country, not 

 making enough chemical wood pulp, has paid over a million 

 dollars a year for its importation. That Great Britain pays 

 twelve million dollars a year for artificial fertilizers, from with- 

 out. That coal tar is no longer counted a bye-product having 

 risen in its value to a par with coal gas. But these instances, as 

 striking as numerous others, still tend to divert attention from 

 the more general service of chemistry as it should be known in 

 all the economies of civilization. 



It is not for me to say what supplies are wanted for the work 

 of chemists. These wants are stated, in quite definite terms, by a 

 sufficient number of those who can speak for themselves. But 

 if my voice could reach those who hold the supplies, I would 

 plead a most considerate hearing of all chemical requisitions, 

 and that a strong and generous policy may in all cases prevail in 

 their behalf. 



If any event of the year is able to compel the attention of the 

 world to the interests of research, it must be the notable close 

 of that life of fifty years of enlarged chemical labour, announced 

 from Berlin a few months ago. When thirty years of age, 

 August Wilhelm von Hofmann, a native of Giessen and a pupil 

 of Liebig, was called to work in London. Taking hold of the 

 organic derivatives of ammonia, and presently adopting the new 

 discoveries of Wurtz, he began those masterly contributions that 

 appear to have been so many distinct steps toward a chemistry 

 of nitrogen, such as industry and agriculture and medicine have 

 thriven upon. In 1850 he opened a memoir in the philosophical 

 transactions with these words, "the light now begins to dawn 

 upon the chaos of collected facts." Since that time the coal tar 

 industry has risen and matured, medicine has learned to measure 

 the treatment of disease, and agriculture to estimate the fertility 

 of the earth. It seems impossible that so late as March of the 

 present year, he was still sending his papers to the journals. If 

 NO. II 9 1, VOL. 46] 



we could say something of what he has dine we cojld say 

 nothing of what he has caused others to do. And yet, let it be 

 heard in these United States, without such a generous policy of 

 expenditure for science as gave to Dr. Hofmann his training in 

 Giessen, or brought him to London in 1848, or built for him 

 laboratories in Bonn and Berlin, without such provision by the 

 Slate, the fruits of his service would have been lost to the world. 

 Ay, and for want of a like broad and prudent provision for re- 

 search with higher education, in this country, other men of 

 great love for science and great power of investigation every 

 year fail of their rightful career for the service of mankind. 



For the prosecution of research, in the larger questions now 

 before us, no training within the limitations of human life can 

 be too broad or too deep. No provision of revenue, so far as of 

 real use to science, can be too liberal. The truest investigation 

 is the most prudent expenditure that can be made. 



In respect to the support that is wanted for work in science, 

 I have reason for speaking with confidence. If I go beyond the 

 subject with which I began I do not go beyond the warrant of 

 the Association. This body has lately defined what its members 

 may say, by creating a committee to receive endowments for the 

 support of research. 



There are men and women who have been so far rewarded, 

 that great means of progress are in their hands, to be vigorously 

 held for the best advantage. Strength is required to use large 

 means, as well as to accumulate them. It is inevitable to wealth, 

 that it shall be put to some sort of use, for without investment 

 it dies. By scattered investment wealth loses personal force. 

 The Americm Association, in the conservative interests of 

 learning, proposes certain effective investments in science. If it 

 be not given to every plodding worker to be a promoter of dis- 

 covery, such at all events is the privilege of wealth, under the 

 authority of this association. If it be not the good fortune of 

 every investigator to reach knowledge that is new, there are, 

 every year, in every section of this body, workers of whom it is 

 clear that they would reach some discovery of merit, if only the 

 means of work cjuld be granted them. Whosoever supplies 

 the means fairly deserves and will receive a share in the results. 

 It is quite with justice that the name of Elzabeth Thompson, 

 the first of the patrons, has been associated with some twenty- 

 one modest determinations of merit recognized by this associa- 

 tion. 



" To procure for the labours of scientific men increased facili- 

 ties " is one of the constitutional objects of this body. It is time 

 for effectiveness towards this object. The Association has es- 

 tablished its character for sound judgment, for good working 

 organization, and forrepresentave public interest. It has earned 

 its responsibility as the American trustee of undertakings in 

 science. 



" To give a stronger . . . impulse . . . to scientific 

 research " is another declaration of what we ought to do. To 

 this end larger endowments are necessary. And it will be 

 strange if some clear-seeing man or woman does not put ten 

 thousand dollars, or some multiple of it, into the charge of this 

 body for some searching experimental inquiry now waiting for 

 the material aid. The committee upon endowment is ready for 

 consultation upon all required details. 



"To give . . . more systematic direction to scientific 

 research " is likewise stated as one of our objects. To this 

 intent the organization of sections affords opportunities not 

 surpassed. The discussions upon scientific papers give rise to a 

 concord of competent opinions as to the direction of immediate 

 work. And arrangements providing in advance for the discussion 

 of vital questions, as formally moved at the last meeting, will in 

 one way or another point out to suitable persons such lines of 

 labour as will indeed give systematic direction to research. 



In conclusion, I may mention another, the most happy of the 

 duties of the American Association. It is to give the hand of 

 hospitable fellowship to the several societies who year by year 

 gather with us upon the same ground. Comrades in labour and 

 in refreshment, their efforts reinforce us, their faces brighten our 

 way. May they join us more and more in the companionship 

 that sweetens the severity of art. A meeting of good workers 

 is a remembrance of pleasure, giving its zest to the aims of the 

 year. 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 

 185 1 Exhibition Science Scholarships. — Her Majesty's 

 Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851, assisted by a com - 



