0^ FORCE. 293 



of the best heads on the continent of Europe agree in their 

 rejection and condemnation of the historic portions of this 

 book. In March last it wassubjected to a brief but pungent 

 critique by Du Bois-Reymond, the celebrated perpetual 

 secretary of the Academy of Sciences in Berlin. Du Bois- 

 Reymond's address was on " National Feeling," and his 

 critique is thus wound up: "The author of the 'Lec- 

 tures ' is not, perhaps, sufficiently well acquainted with 

 the history on which he professes to throw light, and on 

 the later phases of which he passes so unreserved (s hroff) 

 a judgment. He thus exposes himself to the suspicion 

 which, unhappily, is not weakened by his other writings 

 that the fiery Celtic blood of his country occasionally 

 runs away with him, converting him for the time into a 

 scientific Chauvin. Scientific Chauvinism/' adds the 

 learned secretary, " from which German investigators have 

 hitherto kept free, is more reprehensible (gehdssig) than 

 political Chauvinism, inasmuch as self-control (sittliche 

 Haltung) is more to be expected from men of science, than 

 from the politically excited mass."* 



In the case before this "expectation" would, I fear, be 

 doomed to disappointment. But Du Bois-Reymond and 

 his countrymen must not accept the writings of Professor 

 Tait as representative of the thought of England. Surely 

 no nation in the world has more effectually shaken itself 

 free from scientific Chauvinism. From the day that Davy, 

 on presenting the Copley medal to Arago, scornfully 

 brushed aside that spurious patriotism which would run 

 national boundaries through the free domain of science, 

 chivalry toward foreigners has been a guiding principle with 

 the Royal Society 



On the more private amenities indulged in by Professor 

 Tait, I do not consider it necessary to say a word. 



* Festrede, delivered before the Academy of Sciences of Berlin, 

 in celebration of the birthday of the emperor and king, March 28, 



1878. 



