24 THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 
brings Governments in contact with scientific knowledge in parti- 
cular, though greatly improved of late, is still imperfect. In any 
case the politician is perforce concerned with the present rather 
than the future. I have recently read Bacon’s New Atlantis afresh 
and have been thinking about his Solomon’s House. We know 
that the rules for the functioning of that House were mistaken 
because the philosopher drew them up when in the mood of a 
Lord Chancellor ; but in so far as the philosopher visualised therein 
an organisation of the best intellects bent on gathering knowledge 
for future practical services, his idea was a great one. When civilisa- 
tion is in danger and society in transition might there not be a 
House recruited from the best intellects in the country with 
functions similar (mutatis mutandis) to those of Bacon’s fancy? A 
House devoid of politics, concerned rather with synthesising 
existing knowledge, with a sustained appraisement of the progress 
of knowledge, and continuous concern with its bearing upon social 
readjustments. It is not to be pictured as composed of scientific 
authorities alone. It would be rather an intellectual exchange 
where thought would go ahead of immediate problems. I believe, 
perhaps foolishly, that given time I might convince you that the 
functions of such a House, in such days as ours, might well be real. 
Here I must leave them to your fancy, well aware that in the minds 
of many I may by this bare suggestion lose all reputation as a realist ! 
I will now hasten to my final words. Most of us have had a 
tendency in the past to fear the gift of leisure to the majority. To 
believe that it may be a great social benefit requires some mental 
adjustment, and a belief in the educability of the average man or 
woman. 
But if the political aspirations of the nations should grow sane, 
and the artificial economic problems of the world be solved, the 
combined and assured gifts of health, plenty, and leisure may prove 
to be the final justification of applied science. In a community 
advantaged by these each individual will be free to develop his own 
innate powers, and, becoming more of an individual, will be less 
moved by those herd instincts which are always the major danger 
to the world. 
You may feel that throughout this address I have dwelt exclusively 
on the material benefits of science to the neglect of its cultural value. 
I would like to correct this in a single closing sentence. I believe 
that for those who cultivate it in a right and humble spirit, Science 
is one of the Humanities ; no less. 
