38 Mac LEOD, The Place of Science in History. 



the thought that their efforts would be rendered vain, as 

 long as their neighbours did not work to the same end, 

 because the cleared fields would be overrun by fresh weeds, 

 the seeds of which would be carried by the wind from 

 the neighbouring neglected fields ? If the government, 

 enlightened by men of perception, were to make the clear- 

 ing of the fields obligatory, and were to employ coercive 

 measures to this end, would not the landlord and the 

 agriculturist resist in the name of their violated liberty, 

 and would they not be encouraged in their resistance by 

 politicians in opposition to the government ? 



He who reflects on such obstacles, which often bar the 

 way, will be perhaps discouraged ; will be inclined to 

 follow the example of the historian who contents himself 

 with stating facts with resignation, without approving or 

 condemning, or making any effort to better the state of 

 things. 



But the study of the natural and medical sciences, an 

 acquaintance with their history, and a knowledge of the 

 conquests already accomplished, induces a state of mind 

 which does not allow discouragement to last for long. 

 Let us ask science by what means it is possible to improve 

 men, and beware of expecting an immediate and complete 

 answer. Let us remember that the way of progress is 

 trodden by successive steps, at the price of long and per- 

 severing toil. If we succeed in producing an improve- 

 ment, however small it may be, let us rejoice in this con- 

 quest, and turn again to work, in order to realise another. 



Every living being carries within him at the moment 

 of his birth the germs of a great number of attributes, of 

 which some may be considered favou rable, some indifferent 

 and some harmful. In the case of every individual some 

 of these innate attributes never show themselves ; they 

 remain hidden or latent, whilst others develop and 



