Febkuabt 9, 1883.] 



SCIENCE. 



men of science in other countries. Such is 

 the environment in which American science 

 has been developed ; such the favoring soil, 

 atmosphere, and warmth with which it has 

 thus far accomplished its growth. 



Under such conditions, it Is not difficult to 

 foresee a brilliant future for American science. 

 Scientific evolution, like the evolution of a 

 species, requires complete conformity to the 

 conditions of existence. The science of to- 

 day is in thorough accord with the sptirit of 

 the American people. They are proud of 

 every achievement it makes, and are satisfied 

 with the returns it is giving them for their 

 investments. To continue this entente cordi- 

 ale, should be the object of every scientific 

 worker. He maj' the ■ more readily concede 

 some practical return for the facilities for in- 

 vestigation which the people have furnished ; 

 since the march of discovery is not in the least 

 hindered, but rather promoted, by the practical 

 application of the new truth it develops. His 

 attitude toward invention should be apprecia- 

 tive and cordial. He should cast aside all pre- 

 judice against the man of patents and practical 

 devices, and should stand ready to welcome 

 the investigator in whatever garb he appears. 



But more than this. Science must be true 

 to itself as well as in accord with its surround- 

 ings. It must maintain ever the highest tone 

 and the most impartial accuracy. It must 

 covet the scrutiny of every eye, and must be 

 generous ever in the acknowledgment of its 

 shortcomings. Higher than all, it must be 

 devoted to the truth. It must cheerfully 

 undertake the severest labor to secure it, and 

 must deem no sacrifice too great in order to 

 preserve it. It must have an unlimited capa- 

 city for work, and an unlimited enthusiasm 

 in it, while at the same time a proper reserve 

 in affirming the results of it. While striving 

 itself for the highest attainable accuracy, it 

 must be catholic and liberal toward others. 

 It must not magnify differences, nor impute 

 motives. It must be read^- to adjust, with the 

 utmost patience, conclusions which are appar- 

 ently discordant. It must treat all questions 

 with fairness and candor. When it ventures 



nearest the boundaries of knowledge, it should 

 assert itself cautiouslj'. In its relations with 

 other departments of knowledge, it must pre- 

 serve toward them a due consideration. It 

 must venture upon prediction with circum- 

 spection. It must take care, on the one hand, 

 not to set too narrow limits to the possibilities 

 of discovery ; On the other, it must be quick to 

 discern the directions of advance, and to utilize 

 the smallest suggestion to promote discovery. 

 It must be fruitful in working hj'potheses, but 

 it must test these with unsparing rigor before 

 it offers them as a part of established truth. 



Moreover, in order that it may advance 

 beyond the boundaries of present knowledge, 

 it must keep fuUj' and constantly informed of 

 the position of the ever-varying line which 

 marks the limits of the known. It must have 

 and use all the publications in which are 

 recorded the work done by others in all the 

 various fields of research. It must not waste 

 its energies in doing again what has already 

 been well done. Beginning its work where 

 others have left off, it must carry out into the 

 misty region of hj'pothesis the most complete 

 methods known for the solution of the prob- 

 lems it has attacked. Not contented alone 

 with receiving the work of others, it must 

 furnish its methods and results for publication, 

 thus contributing its part to the interchange 

 and discussion of opinions by which discover- 

 ies finally become an integral part of truth. 

 It must recognize the importance of making 

 the scientific literature of the day the reposi- 

 tory of scientific progress ; so that every ad- 

 vance, whether of theoretic or applied science, 

 may find a record in its pages. 



The year 1883 opens auspiciously. The 

 scientific sky is clear, and the outlook promis- 

 ing. If true to itself and to its surroundings, 

 American science has nothing to fear from the 

 future. With the increase of a generous 

 people, and the spread of intelligent scientific 

 thought, it has every thing to hope. Under 

 these favorable circumstances. Science enters 

 upon its career. Maj' it early recognize the 

 conditions of this certain progress, and ever 

 be on the alert to help it forward. 



