Notice of British Naturalists. 141 



difficulty is to fix their attention, and to give it a particular direc- 

 tion , this once done, the rest must naturally follow. 



On the patronage of the public, the progress of science must 

 necessarily depend. If no one will buy books, none will write 

 them, and where there is no reward, there will be no laborers. 

 If we as a nation aspire to eminence in science, and thus to com- 

 mand the respect of the world, we must as a nation, cherish 

 every species of scientific investigation, and the talents by which 

 they are sustained. 



A nation is but a collection of individuals, and consequently a 

 degree of this responsibility falls upon each person, in his own ap- 

 propriate sphere. The aggregate of grains of sand forms the beach 

 of the sea, and each globule of water contributes to form the resist- 

 less wave, that breaks on the shore. It is true that ardent minds, 

 impelled by their own innate energy, will sometimes advance in 

 science without assistance, and that thus talents of a high order and 

 peculiar cast, may force their way into notice, notwithstanding 

 all discouragements and difficulties ; and being wholy dedicated 

 to one subject, will finally achieve great results. Intense desire 

 may produce intense action ; but minds capable of such excite- 

 ment and energy are rare ; and it cannot be doubted, that had they 

 been encouraged by efficient aid, and warmly cherished by favor, 

 they would have attained still more noble ends. The strength 

 which would carry them successfully through their journey, is 

 spent in overcoming the difficulties that thicken in the early part 

 of the way. But all the various degrees of mental power are ne- 

 cessary in science ; sound and unpretending as well as brilliant 

 minds may be usefnUy employed. Most men will however, 

 labor only on such subjects as promise them final rewards. Even 

 genius may encounter peculiar discouragements ; and, necessity 

 often directs its efforts to such pursuits as are most in request 

 among mankind. It is probable, that even of those few who 

 have, perseveringly labored against hope, there was not one whose 

 imagination did not hold out to him, however delusively, honor, 

 emolument or posthumuous fame, as his exceeding great reward j 

 nor perhaps could he without this support have continued to strug- 

 gle with opposing difficulties. 



This country is full of active minds, and science commands a 

 portion of them to labor in its cause. The names of Wilson, Bar- 



