<jlii Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XIII, 



remains true that each one of the modern practical applica- 

 tions of science, from wireless telegraphy to antitoxins, " had 

 its foundations in purely scientific work, and was not the 

 result of deliberate intention to make something of service to 

 humanity." You will, I think, find evidence of this in the work 

 from which I quote : — Professor Gregory's " Discovery ; or the 

 Spirit and Service of Science." 



The immediate recognition of the value of applied work 

 implied in the term "Dowry-men or Benefactours " does not, 

 of course, trouble those with the ' '■ thriftless yearning " : they 

 have faith that sooner or later their work must fit in toward 

 some useful purpose. We have heard of mathematicians who 

 drink the toast " Here's to Pure Mathematics and may they 

 never be of any use to anybody", but even they know that 

 Mathematics rule and govern a great variety of subjects. Most 

 students of pure science believe, to use weightier words than 

 mine, that ; you cannot get the science you desire for utili- 

 tarian ends by going straight for it. You must treat science 

 with profound honour and respect and let her go on her own 

 way. Then she will give you rich fruit ; if you try to cripple 

 and force and direct her to your own immediate ends she dries 

 up and becomes a mere hag." Had there not been in the past 

 men imbued with this spirit, there would have been no scien- 

 tific knowledge to apply to any particular class of problem and 

 any widely successful effort to wean the earnest student of pure 

 science from his single purpose for anv utilitarian end and 

 above all by means of pecuniary reward must spell disaster for 

 the distant future, and may hamper progress long ere that ; 

 but 1 cannot believe that a time will ever now come when 

 there will not be many whose passionate desire to know the 

 truth will rule them to the end. 



a Th i 1 f bemg S °' Jt Dehoves ev 'en us devotees of pure science 

 to do all we can to train and assist the race of " Dowrv-men 

 and Benefactours," and this is whv I so strongly advocate the 

 giving over of the Institute of Science to work of an applied 

 character. We shall rejoice over anv one in whom is born the 

 passionate desire; but we must face the fact that men are 

 wanted and that in very large numbers, who will help th 



ZL U rt Tffi ? the WOrds of the Advisorv Council, to over- 

 come the difficulties that cross his path from dav to day. The 

 training of such men is indeed of the utmost importance if we 

 are to emerge from the cloud that at present hangs over so 

 EST*W? mdustries - A time is coming, we all devoutly 

 n«El l ma T COme soon - when thin g s «»Y return to their 



normal courses^ but tins cannot be untit manv vears after this 



r ml f i men of science »" the world over can con- 



e f t P , ! ip T**** in the Wft y <* knowledge, and we know 



treL! n ", K Wl1 l ' emuin ' PiotW8 «***" Miners." Now our 



greater need bv far s for tu a « tv. «_.«— *„« 



V 



S 



