672 EDITORIAL 



science. His death has robbed us at the moment when his promise 

 was greatest. 



Barren's work is not yet done; his service to science and to his 

 fellow-men is still incomplete. He has left it in our hands and in 

 those of the younger generations to come. His research, which 

 • he loved, is to be carried on. His example, which is inspiring, is 

 to be followed. We may well ask, as suggested by Dr. Branner, 

 How are young men to be trained up to become Barrells? His 

 mental qualifications were not extraordinary. His schooling was 

 not unusual. Yet he became a most unusual man. 



The reason for Barrell's strength can be expressed in two words, 

 thoroughness and breadth. Whatever Barrell did he did thoroughly. 

 The articles cited in this memoir demonstrate that fact. But let 

 it be borne in mind by any young man who would aspire to be 

 like him that such thoroughness is a habit of slow growth. He 

 who would possess it must begin soon and must determinedly 

 will to be thorough. Barrell studied thoroughly, acquired knowl- 

 edge thoroughly, so that he knew what he knew, not for today or 

 tomorrow only, but for his lifetime. For that reason he was able 

 also to be broad. 



Breadth and thoroughness of knowledge are often considered 

 incompatible, and it is true that thoroughness and specialization 

 are commonly associated. But thoroughness in laying foundations 

 is the basis of great breadth of superstructure. Barrell was thorough 

 in acquiring the elements of mathematics, chemistry, physics, 

 geology, meteorology, astronomy, and zoology. He knew well 

 the general principles, the broad facts, the methods of each science. 

 He was firmly founded in them. Thus, when he had occasion to 

 study chmates of the past he approached them with an understand- 

 ing of climates of today. When he would discuss the strength 

 of the earth he could command his mathematics and mechanics. 

 When he undertook to explore the unknown realms of earth- 

 genesis he was equipped with an understanding of astronomy and 

 physics that supplied the seed from which to grow his tree of 

 knowledge. When he gave his imagination flight it was on wings 

 of strength that it soared, giving us confidence that it could soar 

 safely and to great heights, whence the profound depths of the 

 unknown might be searched. ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ 



