32 Mac Leod, The Place of Science in History. 



after the war of 1870-71. No competent judge would 

 find this estimate an exaggerated one. 



We have seen the superior force at work, the great 

 impulse which through the instrumentality of a few men 

 of science has urged humanity along the path of progress. 

 The few examples which we have treated will certainly 

 have convinced us that this impulse is a historically 

 important factor. 



The modern historian tries to discover the different 

 factors which have influenced the evolution of peoples and 

 of humanity considered as a whole, such as the religious 

 and economic factors, the actions of emperors, kings and 

 leaders of parties, the influence of climate, of the boun- 

 daries of land and sea, mountains and plains, deserts and 

 forests. He tries to define the character of these different 

 factors, and to discern the laws which govern their action. 



These historical factors come before us as unconscious 

 and blind forces to the effects of which man is condemned 

 to submit, without the power of guiding or governing 

 them. We learn to regard personages themselves as in 

 some sort instruments obeying the influence of events or 

 of the environment in which they have lived. 



The great historical impulse, the superior force of 

 science, comes before us under an entirely different 

 aspect : it is a conquering force, pursuing one invariable 

 aim through the centuries, the conquest of truth, and its 

 conquests have never been bought with tears. The 

 treasures of truth which it stores up are inexhaustible ; 

 no prodigality can diminish the store, because they are 

 purely spiritual. Each conquered truth becomes a 

 creative instrument of new riches. By the diffusion of 

 its treasures and the quickening spectacle of its activity, 

 it improves mankind. 



