in.] ORIGIN OF TASTE FOR SCIENCE. 223 



though we cannot increase the national store, we 

 need not waste it, as we do now. Every in- 

 stance in which a man having an aptitude to 

 succeed in science,! is tempted by circumstances 

 which might be controlled, to occupy himself 

 with subjects of less national value, is a public 

 calamity. Aptitudes and tastes for occupations 

 which enrich the thoughts and productive powers 

 of man are as much articles of national wealth 

 as coal and iron, and their waste is as repre- 

 hensible. Educational monopolies which offer 

 numerous and great prizes for work of other 

 descriptions, have caused enormous waste of 

 scientific ability, by inducing those who might 

 have succeeded in science, to spend their energies 

 with small effect on uncongenial occupations. 

 When a pursuit is instinctive and the will is 

 untaxed, an immense amount, of work may be 

 accomplished with ease. "Witness, to take an 

 extreme case, the sustained action of the wholly 

 involuntary muscles. The heart does its work 

 unceasingly, from birth to death ; and it is no 

 light work, but such as the arm, working a 

 pump-handle, would soon weary of maintaining ; 



