4:32 THE MEANS OF PREVENTION. 



lection of the first corps of teachers, were the school in readiness, I 

 must confess I am myself somewhat at a loss what course to pursue. 

 Still, I think that the competitive method in vogue in France, which 

 must be adopted in all future cases, could also be made available 

 here by giving public notice in this country, France, Germany, and 

 England, of the chairs to be filled, said notice to be given at least 

 nine months before the competition is to take place. In addition, 

 the duties, accommodations, and remuneration should all be dis- 

 tinctly declared. Foreigners should be allowed a certain fixed sum 

 for traveling expenses. Another plan would be to select a com- 

 mittee of three and send them on a search ; but this is really im- 

 practicable, in my opinion. 



As opposed as Americans have ever been to the pensioning sys- 

 tem, it must be adopted in the scientific and higher schools of this 

 country before we can hope to make any progress in science. Mod- 

 erate pay during active life, and a fair pension for themselves or 

 their immediate family for a fixed period, and under fixed conditions, 

 is the only plan upon which we can ever hope to control the real 

 geniuses among scientists for educational purposes. There are but 

 very few men of original genius who would not gladly sacrifice all 

 hope of great earthly reward, and who would most joyfully devote 

 their whole services to the State, were they only secured a comfort- 

 able living during the active period of their lives, and a just pension 

 to themselves when old or worn out, to be secured to their widows 

 during life, and proportionately to minor children until sixteen 

 years of age. Americans may " kick against (these) pricks " all they 

 please ; come to it they will and must, be it anti-American or not. 

 There are a great many things that a bigoted and ignorant Ameri- 

 canism at present pronounces " anti- American " which a more intel- 

 ligent and liberal future will adopt. It is not a support for laziness 

 which we are demanding. It is the just rewards for genius. Every 

 man of any education and liberality knows that most men of true 

 scientific genius are scarcely fit to take care of themselves so far as 

 monetary matters go. They have no time for such trifles. The 

 costs in the end to the State, or to the association, which in this case 

 will have to assume them, will not exceed those which would accrue 

 from higher salaries during active life. Residences for the teachers, 

 servants, and pupils should be found on the grounds. For the two 

 former they should be free ; for the latter at a reasonable rent. 

 Every teacher should be retired and pensioned when sixty years of 

 age, no matter how active he may still be, and his place filled by 

 young power. Every vacancy must be filled by public competition 



