1S55. WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY. 421 



to the full. The deaths of thousands lie at the door of imper- 

 fect science ; and therefore the necessity for Industrial Museums 

 and Chairs like this." . . . 



Speaking of the wide domain included in Technology, he 

 points out that his brother professors have nearly all commis- 

 sions as wide, nominally, and restricted in meaning only by 

 common consent, by traditional custom, or conventional use and 

 wont. "With the Industrial Museum, this Chair stands in 

 organic connexion. My office, as Professor of Technology, is to 

 be interpreter of the significance of that Museum, and expositor 

 of its value to you, the Students of this University." Those de- 

 sirous of knowing more specially the objects he had in view in 

 the vast arena now opening before him, will find a clear state- 

 ment of his position in this lecture, one of the few published in 

 full. 1 "We shall only further quote the closing paragraphs, with 

 remembrance of the youthful dreams now realized by his having 

 reached the goal then set before him as the object of his highest 

 ambition : " In conclusion, suffer me a reference to two things. 

 There are few occasions on which it is becoming for an indivi- 

 dual to refer publicly, to what the French have taught us to call 

 his antecedents ; but I may be allowed a word on mine here. 

 I came to this University some twenty-two years ago, fresh from 

 the Edinburgh High School, without any prestige in my favour, 

 any recommendations to pave my way, or introductions which 

 should conciliate the good- will of a single professor. A mere 

 school-boy I entered these walls, to pursue, like a hundred 

 others, the difficult study of medicine, without any extrinsic 

 advantages. I look back now with unfeigned gratefulness to 

 the services rendered me by so many of the Professors. I stand 

 indebted to a long list of them for help and encouragement at a 

 time when these are most needed and most prized ; and but for 

 the kindness of more than one of their number, I should not be 

 here to address you as their colleague to-day. 



" I speak thus not to pay this University a passing compli- 

 ment, for it does not need it ; still less to imply that my case 

 was exceptional, for it was not so at all ; but simply that I may 

 bind myself in your hearing to help the homeless and friendless 



1 * What is Technology ?' Sutherland & Knox, Edinburgh. 1855. 



