i88i.] Explosives . 28 7 
pushing their sons into professions for which they have no 
natural aptitude or inclination. A child’s development should 
be carefully studied, and the profession he is to follow should 
be deduced from his powers and his character. 
As to professional jealousy, departmental tyranny, and the 
ignorant interference of employers, they will continue to 
the world’s end. Would that our leaders would take Michael 
Faraday as their model, and, when hearing expositions of 
his merit, ask themselves in how far they are actuated by his 
spirit ? He was a man loving Science for its own sake, 
rather than for the influence or reputation it brought him; 
loving, too, to give a helping hand and a kindly word to his 
brethren, and ready to recognise new truths even if uttered 
by the humblest. 
VI. EXPLOSIVES. 
f T seems probable that the science of Explosives will 
rapidly develop itself, and that public opinion, excited 
by late events, will have to pronounce on the restric- 
tions it requires. Our present protection lies in the provisions 
of the “ Explosives ACt” of 1875; and experience suggests 
whether, at least in its exemptions, it does not require im- 
mediate revision. The purpose of the ACt is to interpose 
the security of a license, and with it the supervision it pre- 
supposes ; but the words of exemption, in SeCt. 4, are that 
“ the ACt is not to apply to a small quantity for the purpose 
of chemical experiment, and not for practical use or sale.” 
The six years since this ACt was passed have changed the 
incidence of these words as words of exemption ; and the 
advance of explosive science, it would seem, will practically 
put the preparation of many explosives out of reach of the 
Ac 5 t, and out of control, by absolving them from the neces- 
sity for a license under this exemption clause. “ A small 
quantity ” is a term of proportion ; it is relative ; what is a 
small quantity for one purpose is large for another, and the 
contrary. A mere laboratory experiment is one thing, an 
experimental trial of an explosive is another. A tea-cup or 
a thimble might suffice for the one, vessels of capacity would 
