672 
A Plea for Pure Science . 
[November, 
without wishing to advance it. In the study of what is 
known, in the reading of the scientific journals, and the 
discussions therein contained of the current scientific ques- 
tions, one would obtain an impulse to work, even though it 
did not before exist. And the same spirit which prompted 
him to seek what was already known, would make him wish 
to know the unknown. And I may say that I never met a 
case of thorough knowledge in my own science, except in 
the case of well-known investigators. I have met men who 
talked well, and I have sometimes asked myself why they 
did not do something ; but further knowledge of their 
character has shown me the superficialty of their knowledge. 
I am no longer a believer in men who could do something if 
they would, or would do something if they had a chance. 
They are impostors. If the true spirit is there, it will show 
itself in spite of circumstances. 
As I remarked before, the investigator in Pure Science is 
usually a professor. He must teach as well as investigate. 
It is a question which has been discussed in late years, as 
to whether these two functions would better be combined in 
the same individual, or separated. It seems to be the 
opinion of most, that a certain amount of teaching is condu- 
cive, rather than otherwise, to the spirit of research. I 
myself think that this is true, and I should myself not like 
to give up my daily ledture. But one must not be over- 
burdened. I suppose that the true solution, in many cases, 
would be found in the multiplication of assistants, not only 
for the work of teaching, but of research. Some men are 
gifted with more ideas than they can work out with their 
own hands, and the world is losing much by not supplying 
them with extra hands. Life is short ; old age comes quickly, 
and the amount one pair of hands can do is very limited. 
What sort of shop would that be, or what sort of fadtory, 
where one man had to do all the work with his own hands ? 
It is a fadl in nature, which no democracy can change, that 
men are not equal — that some have brains, and some hands. 
And no idle talk about equality can ever subvert the order of 
the universe. 
I know of no institution in this country where assistants 
are supplied to aid diredtly in research. Yet why should it 
not be so ? And even the absence of assistant professors 
and assistants of all kinds, to aid in teaching, is very notice- 
able, and must be remedied before we can expedt much. 
There are many physical problems, especially those re- 
quiring exadb measurements, which cannot be carried out by 
one man, and can only be successfully attacked by the most 
