Ixxvi REPORT — 1873. 



I. That these objectors have not shown us any inconsistency in the atomic 

 theory, nor in the conclusions to Avhich it leads. 



II. That neither these nor any other philosophers have been able to ex- 

 plain the facts of ehemistr}^ on the assumption that there are no atoms, but 

 that matter is infinitely divisible. 



III. That when they interpret their analyses, these chemists allow them- 

 selves neither more nor less latitude than the Atomic Theory allows ; in fact 

 they are unconsciously guided by it. 



These facts need no comment from me. 



Our science grows by the acquisition of new facts which have an intel- 

 ligible place among our ideas of the order of nature ; but in proportion as 

 more and more facts are arranged before us in their natural order, in pro- 

 portion as our view of the order of nature becomes clearer and broader, we 

 are able to observe and describe that order more fullj' and more accurately — 

 in fact, to improve our ideas of the order of nature. These more extensive 

 and more accurate ideas suggest new observations, and lead to the discovery 

 of truths ■which would have found no place in the narrower and less accurate 

 sj'^stem. Take away from Chemistry the ideas which connect and explain 

 the multifarious facts observed, and it is no longer a science ; it is nothing 

 more than a confused and useless heap of materials. 



The answer to our question respecting the meaning of the earnest work 

 which is going on in our science must, I think, now be plain to you. 

 Chemists are examining the combining-properties of atoms, and getting clear 

 ideas of the constitution of matter. 



Admitting, then, for the present, that such is the meaning of chemical 

 work, we have to consider the more important question of its use ; and I 

 think you will agree with me that, in order to judge soundly whether and in 

 what manner such a pursuit is useful, we have to consider its effect upon 

 Man. What habits of mind does it engender ? What powers does it de- 

 velope ? Does it develope good and noble qualities and aspirations, and tend 

 to make men more able and more anxious to do good to their felloAV men ? 

 Or is it a mere idle amusement, bearing no permanent fruits of improvement ? 



You wiU, I think, answer these questions yourselves if I can succeed in 

 describing to you some of the chief qualities which experience has shown to 

 be requisite for the successful pursuit of Chemistry, and which are neces- 

 sarily cultivated by those who qualify themselves for such a career. 



One of the first requirements on the part of an investigator is accuracy in 

 observing the phenomena with which he deals. He must not only see the 

 precise particulars of a process as they present themselves to his observation ; 

 he must also observe the order in which these particular appearances present 

 themselves under the conditions of each experiment. No less essential is 

 accuracy of memory. An experimental inquirer must remember accurately 

 a number of facts ; and he needs to remember their mutual relations, so that 

 one of them when present to his mind may recall those others which ought 

 to be considered with it. In fact he cultivates the habit of remembering 

 facts mainly by their place in nature. Accuracy in manual operations is 

 required in all experimental inquiries ; and many of them aiford scope for 

 very considerable skill and dexterity. 



These elementary qualities are well known to be requisite for success in 

 experimental science, and to be developed by careful practice of its methods ; 

 but some higher qualities are quite as necessary as these in all but the most 

 rudimentary manipulations, and are developed in a remarkabl* degree by the 

 higher work of science. 



