WILLIAM BOWER TAYLOR. 653 



he shows that no single individual is entitled to that distinction. He 

 says: "It was, in fact, a growth rather than an invention, the work 

 of many brains and of many hands; but amid the galaxy of brilliant 

 names who prepared the way for success and organized the triumph for 

 the execution of skillful artisans, none stands higher or shines with 

 more resplendent luster than that of Joseph Henry." 



Although so truly a "scientific" man, Taylor did not engage in 

 origiual research and experiment, a field which, if he had entered, there 

 can be no doubt of his brilliant success. It is possible, however, that 

 he was better fitted for the sphere of action in which he engaged. It 

 may be true that "the genius which qualifies a man for enlarging the 

 boundaries of science by his own inventions and researches is of a very 

 different class from that which confers the ability to elucidate, in a 

 simple and systematic course, the order and connection of elementary 

 truths." 



Taylor's mental characteristics were of a very high order ; few men 

 have been better endowed by nature or developed by study. He not 

 only had quick perceptions to grasp the arguments or meaning of others, 

 but he could find in them relations and suggestions which they had 

 not themselves seen. He was extremely exact and precise in stating 

 his own views and in making his meaning clear. 



His writings are distinguished as being not merely a digest of ideas 

 which he had acquired from the perusal of books of others, but an able 

 analysis of the work of every author which exercised any influence on 

 the topic he had under discussion. 



One trait of his character was the thoroughness with which he 

 pursued any inquiry, as he was never satisfied until he had learned all 

 that could be ascertained in regard to it. A remarkable memory 

 enabled him in his daily work to profit from his extensive researches. 



As a conversationalist, it seemed as if any subject, even casually 

 started, had been the special theme of his thinking. He could adapt 

 himself to and equally please the profound philosopher," the crude 

 schoolboy, or the hard-working mechanic. 



He was particularly fond of optical experiments, drew elaborate dia- 

 grams and plans of improved instruments, especially the stereoscope, 

 and made an unusually large collection (20,000) of stereoscopic views. 



He frequently urged the importance of the establishment of a bureau 

 for indexing scientific publications, and considered the devotion of a 

 fund for this purpose by a millionaire who wished to secure perpetual 

 fame as far more likely to secure his object than by adding another 

 library or even a university to those now existing. 



Many works with which Mr. Taylor's name has never been connected 

 owed a large part of their merit and success to materials he furnished 

 and to his advice, revision, and criticism. The labor of hand and brain 

 which might have been employed in building up his own fame was 

 freely given to all who sought it. He was very averse to writing for 



