THE PLAN BOOKS 



"In part, — such a man should logically 

 be a scientist; but the records, how can he 

 establish that what he has accomplished came 

 through clearly defined lines ? In other words, 

 has he ample and well - authenticated notes 

 and data to prove that what he says is true ? " 



" In answer, suppose that you have first 

 his word for it that he has accomplished 

 everything in certain definite ways, — " 



"Yes," comes the interruption, "that is 

 just the point, his word for it. Now, he may 

 be absolutely honest, but ordinary men for- 

 get, they are influenced at a given point 

 where their memory is not clear by something 

 quite outside, — they become misty and they 

 cannot tell how far they may be led astray. 

 I find more and more in class-room work 

 and in preparing material for publication, 

 that I cannot rely upon memory." 



" But suppose it is not an ordinary man, 

 one who does not forget, who has a memory 

 as marvelous as his works ? " 



" Granted ; but let him try to prove that 

 he followed a given course. How would Mr. 

 Burbank, for example, prove to me that he 

 took certain steps in a given test?" 



319 



