PREFACE 



little book is written with the hope of 

 encouraging the study of science in the classes 

 of the Workers' Educational Association. In 

 spite of some splendid successes notably the biology 

 classes of Mr. Norman Walker in the Yorkshire district 

 science does not receive its full share of attention. Science 

 is the characteristic product of modern thought in the 

 realm of pure learning ; and yet there is a danger that 

 the W. E. A., which stands for new ideas, will become 

 the last stronghold of the reactionary doctrine that 

 science and culture are antagonistic. 



Accordingly, my object has been to explain what are 

 the aims and objects of science and what kind of satis- 

 faction can be derived from its study. I have tried to 

 draw attention to those aspects of its more abstruse 

 departments that may be expected to appeal to men 

 and women of wide intellectual sympathies. The book 

 does not pretend to be " popular " or to provide an easy 

 hour's reading ; for all experience shows that mere 

 difficulties of thought are no bar to success in adult 

 education ; the enthusiasm of a leader is all that is 

 necessary to sustain interest. No writer can hope to 

 get into as close touch with his readers as a speaker with 

 his audience, and unless leaders can be found to treat 

 science in the spirit suggested, my efforts must necessarily 

 fail. But perhaps my efforts will help some who would 

 not otherwise have undertaken the task. 



Since I have no object but to lead readers to the 

 systematic study of some special branch of science, and 



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