CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 515 



In au dddi'fiis delivered this year to the Public School Science Masters' Associa- 

 tion, I ventured to illustrate this aspect of education by relating my own experience 

 with a young Frenchman whose previous training and previous work were in tbo 

 subjects of philosophy and theology, but who desired to have some personal 

 acquaintance with scieutidc work. 1 found it possible with him to begin at once 

 with a definite problem of original scientific research (even in a highly specialised 

 branch of science), and to make that the introduction to the general principles of 

 the science which he was studying : beginning with the practical experiments and 

 observations, and working back to their interpretation. In a very short time he 

 was able to publish important results. This is only one of several instances that 

 I might quote from !ny own experience, but it is the most convincing. The interest 

 and enthusiasm inspired by the feeling that one is making new observations, or in 

 however humble a Avay working towards a discovery, is quite enough to inspire a 

 longing to understand the general bearing of the work upon which one is engaged. 

 This method would be impossible with a beginner of untrained mind ; but it is 

 easy with a mature student who is a beginner only in the sense that he is not 

 a specialist. Far too much time is often spent in preparation which leads to no 

 performance ; and much harm is done by discouraging willing learner.s, because 

 they have not been prepared in the orthodox manner. This is the reason why 

 1 see the opportunity for the Local Societies to take up the scientific education of 

 unprepared but mature minds ; firstly, by inviting the trained and experienced 

 workers to make known to them, through the medium of untechnical language, 

 the beauty and interest of scientitic work in the course of its progress, and of 

 scientific discovery in the making ; and, secondly, by providing them with fol- 

 lowers who will continue to prosecute under their guidance original observation, 

 and even experimental research. 



Everyone knows the success which has attended the University Extension 

 movements, and how an inspiring lecturer has often sown the seed which has 

 produced in literature, art, or science a rich harvest of sincere students. 



Let the Local Societies initiate a new Science Extension movement, in which 

 they contribute from their members the willing workers who are ready to act 

 under the guidance and inspiration of those who have had the advantage of special 

 training and experience. Let them attract new members with this object. There 

 are so many persons anxious and able to do something in the way of scientific 

 work who only want the sympathy and guidance of a leader more experienced 

 than themselves ; such leaders may not infrequently have to be .sought among the 

 teachers or researchers outside the society. 



In this way, and by some such co-operation, will the professional cease to be 

 a professional, and the amateur cea«e to be an amateur, when they meet upon 

 common ground in the local scientific society. 



Surely onything that tends to break down the barrier between the professional 

 scientist and the amateur, between expert and layman, is for the good of scientific 

 progress. That the one should ever be actually discouraged by the other seems 

 almost incredible ; and yet one has to make the humiliating confession that this 

 happens again and again. 



in this connection I would beg you to read the most fascinating and illuminating 

 address delivered to one of our societies, the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, by 

 Mr. Lamplugh, when he was its President in 1906 — an address which protested 

 forcibly against the unhealthy distinction between amateur and professional, and 

 put forward a plea for the need of the amateur spirit in scientific work. 



If I have succeeded in this Address in making a practical suggestion that 

 embodies the spirit of his appeal, I may hope in some measure to repay the debt that 

 I owe to one who has always inspired me Avith the example of true and undivided 

 allegiance to the call of pure science. 



It may well be that my views are visionary, and that those who know better 

 than myself the constitution and the work of the Local Societies will pronounce 

 the co-operation which I have suggested to be impracticable. Yet when I 

 remember how many persons I have met in my own limited experience who wjre 

 burning with the desire to do something in the wav of scientific work, and only 



1908, ' ^N 



