44 



world. If be has the uecessai'y qualities it is very nnfortiuiate if his cir- 

 cumstances do not joermit their most fruitful activity ; if he has not, let him 

 serve his institution in other ways for which he is better fitted — ways of 

 equal importance. Few men can spend several hours daily with classes, 

 several more in administrative work, one or two more in committees, and 

 have any vitality left either for research or professional growth. 



The greatest need of most successful college teachers is more time to 

 tliink. The evil effects of the prevalent rush become apparent only very 

 slowly — in the course of j^ears — in a gradually failing effectiveness for lack 

 of mental nourishment. A'o one can use a few minutes now and then. 

 snatched from the more urgent duties of the moment, to do or even think 

 real research : ideas do not come on demand, interruptions are often fatal 

 to inspiration, experimental work often must be continuous to lead to 

 results ; investigation that is worth while is not a routine operation to be 

 started and stopped by a gong ; there must be mental growth as a back- 

 ground. It would probably be economical in the long run if the real 

 teacher-investigator could be assured of uninterrupted privacy for half of 

 every day. 



In addition to time for thought, reading, experimentation and writing, 

 the teacher of science needs space and material equipment. There is a 

 temptation to spend money most freely in ways that lead to the most tan- 

 gible results, and would-be benefactors may cause serious embarrassment 

 by providing buildings without equipment or endowment : blessed be the 

 liberal contributors to the "general fund," meaning equipment and, most 

 important of all. competent nien. 



In the proA-lding of suitable buildings witli limited moans, circumstances 

 nuist decide how much can be devoted to what may be called luxuries and 

 quality as against necessities and quantity ; it is certainly desirable to have 

 buildings as beautiful as possible, but not at the expense of adequate size 

 and equipment. 



Books are too often a crying need ; they cost so much and they show so 

 little: and yet without them research is impossible. The most serious lack 

 is usu.-illy llial (if (•(Uiiiilctt' hies of the scieniific .ionrnals. which can never 

 be ])uri-hasi(l (wi a ni)n-;iccuniul;iling allnw anco of ;i linndred dollars a year. 

 The value of Uie library ludiit t': the student (■an iiardly be o\ erestimated, 



but to develop Ibis plenty nl' 1 ks and an attractive i-lace for reading them 



are .almost indispensabK^; How welcome to the business mamxger of many 



