XXIX 



ox XATURAL HISTORY, AS KNOWLEDGE, DISCIPLINE, 



AND POWER 



Roy. Inst. Proc, vol. ii., 1854-58,//. 187-195, Friday, February 15, 1856 



The value of any pursuit depends upon the extent to which it 

 fulfils one or all of three conditions. Either it enlarges our experi- 

 ence ; or it increases our strength ; or it diminishes the obstacles in 

 the way of our acquiring experience and strength. Whatever neither 

 teaches, nor strengthens, nor helps us, is either useless or mischievous. 

 The scientific calling, like all others, must be submitted to these tests, 

 if we desire fairly to estimate its dignity and worth ; and as the object 

 of the present discourse is to set forth such an estimate of the science 

 of Natural History, it will be necessary to consider — Firstly, its scope 

 and range as mere knowledge , Secondly, the amount to which the 

 process of acquiring Natural History knowledge strengthens and 

 develops the powers of the gainer, — its position, that is, as discipline , 

 Thirdly, the extent to which it enables him, so to speak, to turn one 

 part of the universe against another, in order to attain his own ends ; 

 and this is what is commonly called '&i& power of science. 



There can be little doubt as to which is the highest and noblest 

 of these standards of value. Science, as power, indeed, showers daily 

 blessings upon our practical life ; and science, as knowledge, opens 

 up continually new sources of intellectual delight. But neither 

 knowing nor enjoying are the highest ends of life. Strength — 

 capacity of action and of endurance — is the highest thing to be 

 desired ; and this is to be obtained only by careful discipline of all 

 the faculties, by that training which the pursuit of science is, above 

 all things, most competent to give. 



First, let us regard Natural History as mere Knowledge. 



The common conception of the aims of a naturalist of the present 



X 



