479 
x8j6.] Encouragement of Scientific Research . 
with a chemical investigation. He expended during this 
time in apparatus and materials not less than a thousand 
pounds sterling. We are not prepared to deny that he ela- 
borated and perfected means of research which will be useful 
on other occasions, and he “ struck the trail ” of collateral 
issues ; but what may be called the direct result of his labour 
was finally expressed in a single line in the 4< Philosophical 
Transactions.” Surely, then, to bid the chemist or the 
physicist seek to reimburse himself for his time and trouble 
by publishing the results of his researches is childish 
mockery ! 
Literature, in facSt, offers but little scope for a scientific 
man. Even when a scientific book has to be criticised or a 
new hypothesis discussed the political and literary organs of 
the day rarely take the trouble of referring the matter to any 
specially qualified writer. They know full well that blunders 
on such subjects are not likely to be detected, however gross, 
and if detected are not looked upon as disgraceful. It is not 
long since a morning paper informed the world that all gases, 
if heated to a point far below redness, exploded, leaving 
nothing but “ a vacuum and a few particles of dust.” 
The next fallacy we have to encounter is the notion that 
scientific research may be efficiently carried on by men 
engaged in professions or in business in the intervals of 
their ordinary occupation. Some even “ out-Herod Herod ” 
to the extent of maintaining that it is better for a scientific 
man not to have his whole time at his own disposal. We 
regret to find this absurdity insinuated in a recent bio- 
graphical work. We do not, of course, deny that certain 
men have contrived to do valuable work in science, even 
although trammelled with a trade or a profession. But we 
hold it to be utterly indisputable — indeed, self-evident — that 
had their time not been broken into by business they would 
assuredly have done more. A swift and powerful horse may 
travel at a certain speed when yoked to a cart, but cut the 
traces and he will assuredly be able to cover more ground in 
the same time. It is perfectly true that Daniel Hanbury 
engaged successfully in chemico-pharmaceutical and botanical 
researches at the same time that he was at the head of a 
business establishment. But we must remember that his 
case was exceptional ; the science which he cultivated and 
the business which he pursued were so closely connected as 
to be almost identified. But how many branches of science 
are so intimately connected with any trade or profession ? 
And even in this case, we venture to maintain that 
Hanbury might and would have done more for his speciality 
