8 SCIENCE FROM AN EASY CHAIR 



our lot is cast that lies after all with science. I would 

 rather be known as having added to the sum of our 

 knowledge of the truth of nature than anything else I 

 can imagine. Unfortunately for me, my opportunities 

 have lain in different directions." 



That is a splendid confession of faith. I do not 

 remember that any German statesman of like authority 

 and standing has ever given expression to so full and 

 ample a belief in the value of science. Yet German 

 statesmen have acted, though they have not spoken. 

 They have arranged for, and continually are arranging 

 for, a far larger expenditure of public money upon 

 scientific training and investigation than is assigned to 

 such purposes in this country. Every department of 

 government in Germany has its thoroughly trained, well- 

 taught, well-paid body of scientific experts and investi- 

 gators, and, moreover, the whole official world, from the 

 Emperor downwards, has a real understanding of what 

 science is, of the folly of attempting to proceed without 

 it, or allowing persons who are ignorant of it to act as 

 administrators. The need for science is not merely 

 recognised in words, but steps are taken, and have been 

 taken now for many years, actually to secure in German 

 public offices and public administration the predominance 

 of that scientific knowledge which the German statesmen, 

 as well as Mr. Balfour, consider so necessary. Is it too 

 much to hope that in this country those who recognise 

 the value and importance of scientific knowledge will 

 also take steps to re-arrange our Government depart- 

 ments so as to give them the advantage of guidance by 

 men trained in the knowledge of nature, rather than 

 by men ignorant of the very existence of such know- 

 ledge ? 



The universities hold the central position in this matter, 

 and it is their influence and wealth which the State should 



