242 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



Dr. Buchanan White had seldom sat for a 

 photograph, and we have failed to find a recent 

 portrait. We are, however, indebted to his old 

 friend, Henry Coates, Esq., for obtaining the use of 

 the picture which illustrates this notice, as also the 

 data on which it is founded. 



The son of Dr. Francis Isaiah White, of Perth — 

 who, by the way, is, we believe, an English gentle- 

 man — Dr. Buchanan White was destined also for 



the medical profession. He was educated for that 

 purpose, and graduated with honours ; but after 

 marriage, becoming possessed of a considerable 

 competency, he devoted his whole attention to 

 scientific work. He leaves a widow and numerous 

 family, several of whom, both son and daughters, 

 inherit his literary ability. We cordially sym- 

 pathise in their sad loss. 



J. T. C. 



THE WORD "SCIENTIST.' 



T N the December number of Science-Gossip 

 (page 228) the editor entered a protest against 

 the use of the word " scientist," in which he said, 

 "Its application is not satisfactory, and is usually 

 the offspring of a paucity of erudition and ex- 

 pression which comes of the modern system of 

 cramming with text-books, and general hurry in 

 education. Why not speak of nomenclators as 

 ' nameists,' of a sempstress as a ' sewist,' or a 

 conchologist as a'shellist.' All these words may 

 come into use among 'progressivists,' but are 

 equally abominable with 'scientists.' The word 

 was apparently first coined by Whewell in 1840, in 

 " Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences." This 

 extract was copied into several daily papers, and 

 caused some comment, adverse to the word. 



Feeling the importance of an authorative declara- 

 tion as to the use of this word "scientist," we 

 have asked for such from eight personages whose 

 opinions would carry weight with the public, seven 

 of whom at once replied. The following are the 

 answers received : — 



His Grace the Duke of Argyle, K.G., K.T., F.R.S. 

 Gosford, Longniddry, N.B. ; 



December StJi, 1894. 

 Sir, — In reply to your question, I can only 

 answer for myself, that I never use the word 

 "Scientist" in any serious literary work, and that 

 I regard it with great dislike. 



Yours obediently, 



Argyle. 



The Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., 

 F.R.S. , wrote: 



High Elms, Farnborough, R.S.O., Kent ; 

 jth December, 1894. 

 Sir, — I quite concur with you as to the word 

 " Scientist," and have never used it myself. Why 

 not retain the old word " Philosopher." 



I am, your Obedient Servant, 



John Lubbock. 



Professor Alfred Russel Wallace, F.R.S., replied : 

 Parkstone, Dorset ; 



December 8th, 1894. 

 Dear Sir, — I thought the very useful American 

 term " Scientist " was now adopted, and I see Dr 



Armstrong used it at the Chemical Society, yester- 

 day. As we have Biologist, Zoologist, Geologist, 

 Botanist, Chemist, Physicist, Physiologist and 

 Specialist, why should we not use "Scientist"? 

 And what have we to use instead ? It seems to 

 me that it has, as the Americans say, " come to 

 stay," and it is too late in the day to object to it. 

 Yours very truly, 



Alfred R. Wallace. 



Mr. Grant Allen, the popular writer, says : 

 The Croft, Hind Head, 



Haslemere ; 

 December 2.0th, 1894. 

 Dear Sir, — Personally I dislike the word 

 " Scientist," and never admit it into my own 

 vocabulary. No fellow is compelled to use any 

 particular word himself unless he chooses. " Man 

 of Science" seems to me to do the duty well enough 

 for any purpose. But I fully recognise the fact 

 that languages grow, and grow irresponsibly. If 

 the majority of the persons who speak a particular 

 language choose to adopt a new word, however ill- 

 formed, it is mere pedantry for individuals to 

 object to it. We have swallowed "Sociology"; 

 we have swallowed "Altruism"; and I don't see 

 why, after camels like those, we need strain at a 

 comparative gnat like " Scientist." It has come to 

 stay. Many of us don't like it ; but I am afraid 

 we have only the usual alternative — of lumping it. 

 Faithfully yours, 



Grant Allen. 



The Right Hon. Lord Rayleigh, F.R.S., writes : 

 Terling Place, Witham, Essex ; 

 10th December, 1894. 

 Dear Sir, — I dislike the word " Scientist," and 

 have never used myself ; but I forsee a difficulty 

 in avoiding it unless a substitute can be provided. 

 Lord Kelvin's suggestion of reverting to the wider 

 meaning of " Naturalist " might afford a solution. 

 Yours faithfully, 



Rayleigh. 



The Right Hon. Thos. H. Huxley, F.R.S., says : 

 Hodeslea, Staveley Road, Eastbourne ; 

 December 10th, 1894. 

 Sir, — To any one who respects the English 

 language, I think "Scientist" must be about as 

 pleasing a word as "Electrocution." I sincerely 

 trust you will not allow the pages of Science- 

 Gossip to be defiled by it. 



I am, yours sincerely, 



Thos. H. Huxley. 



