230 



PEOF. G. SJMS WOODHEAD^ M.A., M.D.^ 



found, ready to show itself, it may be ultramicroscopically, but none 

 the less really, and then and there begin on matter its directiye 

 energies. Is not this also a case covered by the words of an 

 ancient collect "the tranquil operation of Thy perpetual 

 Providence "? " 



The Lecturer's Eeply. 



The Lecturer subsequently received the whole of the discussion 

 in writing, and has been kind enough to amplify the reply which 

 he made at the time, as follows : — 



In replying to the various suggestions and criticisms advanced this 

 afternoon, it may be well that I should attempt to answer individual 

 questions rather than to make a general statement. To begin with, 

 however, I should like to insist on the necessity of drawing a sharp 

 line between the somewhat rash deductions of those expounding 

 Professor Schafer's views and what Professor Schafer really 

 advanced. In adopting any scientific method of research or criticism, 

 it is essential that we should be honest with ourselves, and, at the 

 same time, acknowledge the honesty of others. We have to bear in 

 mind the danger that, having once commenced to work along a certain 

 line, we are apt to expect that it will lead us in a certain direction and 

 to a certain point ; and I agree most cordially with the Rev. Dr. Irving 

 that it is impossible for us " to predict w^hat we shall know before 

 we know it." Intelligent anticipation may be permissible in helping 

 to form a working hypothesis, but it is ever dangerous and 

 unjustifiable when we use it to raise a hypothesis to the level and 

 dignity of a theory. It is impossible to make good the claim for any 

 hypothesis that it can be of the value of a theory. We may test 

 experience by further observation ; but in making observations our 

 judgment must remain unbiassed and our mind open to all but 

 credulity, whilst our records of these observations must be clear and 

 honest. How long does it take us to realize that method and apparatus 

 are of little value apart from accurate observation and sound reasoning, 

 and that all scientific hypotheses should be in accord with ascertained 

 facts. 



It is exceedingly interesting to learn from Professor Orchard that 

 Sir Gabriel Stokes w^as convinced that Lord Kelvin was entirely 

 " jocular " in his suggestion that living matter may have been 

 conveyed — on a meteorite — to this sphere from another world. 



