582 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION A. 



possibilities that may result from the solution of new theoretical problems, from 

 the invention of new methods — to grasp, in fact, the idea of bringing the angels 

 down. And, in order that the regular workers in such matters may be in a position 

 constantly to reap the advantages which men of genius provide, the vocal frame 

 must have its permanent embodiment. For the advancement of science in this 

 sense we require all three — the professor with academic freedom to illuminate 

 with his genius any phenomenon which he may be pleased to investigate, the 

 administrator, face to face with the practical problems in which science can help, 

 and the living voice which can tune itself in harmony with the advances of 

 science and in sympathy with the needs of the people whom it serves. 



The true relations of these matters are not always apparent, Eliot, bringing to 

 the work of the Indian Meteorological Office a mind trained in the mathematical 

 school of which Kelvin was a most conspicuous exponent, achieved a remarkable 

 success, with which perhaps my hearers are not familiar. 



In this country there is a widespread idea that meteorology achieves its 

 object if by its means the daily papers can give such trustworthy advice as will 

 enable a cautious man to decide whether to take out his walking-stick or his 

 umbrella. Some of us are accustomed to look upon India as a place of unusual 

 scientific enlightenment, where governments have a worthy appreciation of the 

 claims of science for recognition and support. But Eliot was never tired of 

 telling me that it was the administration of India, and not the advancement of 

 science, that the Indian administrators had in view; and among his achievements 

 the one of which he was most proud was that the conduct of his office upon 

 scientific lines during his tenure had so commended itself to the administrators 

 that his successor was to be allowed three assistants, with special scientific 

 training, in order that the State might have the benefit of their knowledge. 



It is, of course, easy to suggest in explanation of this success that the Depart- 

 ment of Public Works of India cannot afford to be unmindful of the distribution of 

 rainfall, and that there is an obvious connection between Indian finances and Indian 

 droughts ; but it is a new fact in British history that the application of scientific 

 considerations to the phenomena of rainfall are of such direct practical importance 

 that meteorological information is a matter of consequence to all Government officials, 

 and that meteorological prospects are a factor of finance. Imagine his Majesty's 

 Chancellor of the Exchequer calling at 63 Victoria Street to make inquiries with 

 a view to framing his next Budget, or taking his prospects of a realised surplus 

 from the Daily Weather lleport. Yet in India meteorology is to such an extent a 

 public servant that such proceedings would not excite remark. 



To have placed a scientific service on such a footing is, indeed, a notable 

 success. Again, I rely upon Eliot when I say that that success is only to be 

 achieved by being constantly on the watch to render service wherever service can 

 be rendered. There is a difference between this attitude and that which has for 

 its object the contribution of an effective paper to a scientific publication ; in 

 other words, it must be frankly recognised that the business of the scientific 

 departments of government is not to raise an occasional mortal to the skies, but 

 to draw down as many angels as are within reach. I was much surprised, when 

 Eliot wished to develop a large scheme for meteorological work on a wider scale, 

 ♦Aiat he made his appeal to the British Association as Chairman of the Sub-section 

 for Cosmical Physics at Cambridge, and thereby to the Governments of this 

 country and the Colonies. He felt that he could only urge the Indian Govern- 

 ment to join, and he did so successfully, so far as India would be directly benefited 

 thereby, however important the results might be from a purely scientific point of 

 view. Strange as it may appear to some, it was to this country that he looked 

 for assistance, on the plea of the increase of knowledge for its own sake, or for 

 the sake of mankind at large. 



I am disposed, therefore, to carry your thoughts a little further, and rely on 

 your patience while I consider another aspect of the process of drawing down the 

 angelo from the mathematical and physical sky, a process which is sufficiently 

 indicative of the functions of a State scientific department. Viewing the world 

 at large, and noi merely that part of it with which we are ourselves immediately 



