GOETHE AS A NATURALIST. 81 
Goethe, who, among all, stands in the closest relations to us 
Germans. However, before I explain his special services 
to the theory of development, it seems to me necessary 
to say a few words about his importance as a naturalist in 
general, as it is commonly very little known. 
I am sure most of my readers honour Goethe only as a 
poet and a man; only a few have any conception of the high 
value of his scientific works, and of the gigantic stride with 
which he advanced before his own age—advanced so much 
that most naturalists of that time were unable to follow 
him. In several passages of his scientific writings he 
bitterly complains of the narrow-mindedness of professed 
naturalists, who do not know how to value his works (who 
cannot see the wood for the trees), and who cannot rouse 
_ themselves to discover the general laws of nature among the 
mass of details. He is only too just when he utters the 
reproach—* The philosophers will very soon discover that 
observers rarely rise to a stand-point from which they can 
survey so many important objects.” It is true, at the same 
time, that their want of appreciation was caused by the 
false road into which Goethe was led in his theory of colours. 
This theory of colours, which he himself designates as 
the favourite production of his leisure, however much 
that is beautiful it may contain, is a complete failure in 
regard to its foundations. The exact mathematical method 
by means of which alone it is possible, in inorganic 
sciences, but above all in physics, to raise a structure 
step by step on a thoroughly firm basis, was altogether re- 
pugnant to Goethe. In rejecting it he allowed himself not 
only to be very unjust towards the most eminent phy- 
sicists, but to be led into errors which have greatly injured 
VOL. ‘I, G 
