31 
subsist between them, as well as those which they bear to 
facts previously known. In this search for truth no new 
fact is so insignificant as to be unworthy of observation, 
since it may prove to be the falling apple capable of suggest- 
ing a law of the universe, — or the kite-drawn spark from 
the passing cloud which opens out a new world of light and 
force. If, then, in our researches we catch a faint glimpse 
of some such truth, let us pursue it diligently until we 
succeed in bringing it into clearer view. The ultimate use 
of which such truth is capable must not be the primary 
object of our pursuit. Many of our investigations must be 
carried on without reference to mercenary aims. At the 
same time whilst we thus follow truth for her own sake, 
let us not ignore the vital importance of applied science, or 
forget that those who so apply it are honoured instruments 
in alleviating the toils and increasing the joys of humanity. 
How the existing band of active scientific workers is to 
be increased is one of the problems now occupying the 
minds of some of our ablest thinkers. The need for such 
an increase, especially in our own country, is admitted by 
all, but men differ as to the efficiency of the means suggested. 
Some, whose names stand high on the roll of the learned, 
think that the endowment of fitting men to be set apart as 
discoverers, will best meet the difficulty. I confess I have 
many fears as to the success of such a plan. Scientific 
research is rarely the child of wealthy leisure. It is true 
that you have, here and there, a Murchison or a Lyell, 
whom a fortunate combination of circumstances has freed 
from the necessity of labouring to win the means of 
existence, but who were yet more fortunate in possessing 
the vigorous energy which rendered powerless the paraly- 
zing influences of wealth and station. As a rule, the 
W'ealthy classes have done but little scientific work, and 
such as have entered the field as vigorous labourers have 
rarely been those whose leisure was co-extensive with them 
