664 A Plea for Pure Science. [November, 
is the result ! Young men looking forward into the world 
for something to do, see before them this high and noble 
life, and they see that there is something more honourable 
than the accumulation of wealth. They are thus led to 
devote their lives to similar pursuits, and they honour the 
professor who has drawn them to something higher than 
they might otherwise have aspired to reach. 
I do not wish to be misunderstood in this matter. It is 
no disgrace to make money by an invention, or otherwise, or 
to do commercial scientific work under some circumstances. 
But let Pure Science be the aim of those in the chairs of 
professors, and so prominently the aim that there can be no 
mistake. If our aim in life is wealth, let us honestly engage 
in commercial pursuits, and compete with others for its 
possession. But if we choose a life which we consider 
higher, let us live up to it, taking wealth or poverty as it 
may chance to come to us, but letting neither turn us aside 
from our pursuit. 
The work or teaching may absorb the energies of many ; 
and, indeed, this is the excuse given by most for not doing 
any scientific work. But there is an old saying, that where 
there is a will there is a way. Few professors do as much 
teaching or lecturing as the German professors, who are also 
noted for their elaborate papers in the scientific journals. 
I myself have been burdened down with work, and know 
what it is ; and yet I here assert that all can find time for 
scientific research if they desire it. But here, again, that 
curse of our country, mediocrity, is upon us. Our colleges 
and universities seldom call for first-class men of reputation, 
and I have even heard the trustee of a well-known college 
assert that no professor should engage in research because 
of the time wasted ! I was glad to see, soon after, by the 
call of a prominent scientist to that college, that the majority 
of the trustees did not agree with him. 
That teaching is important, goes without saying. A suc- 
cessful teacher is to be respedted ; but if he does not lead 
his scholars to that which is the highest, is he not blame- 
worthy ? We are, then, to look to the colleges and univer- 
sities of the land for most of the work in Pure Science which 
is done. Let us therefore examine these latter, and see 
what the prospedt is. 
One, whom perhaps we may here style a practical follower 
of Ruskin, has stated that while in this country he was 
variously designated by the title of captain, colonel, and 
professor. The story may or may not be true, but we all 
know enough of the customs of our countrymen not to 
