294 The American Geologist. November, i892 
has caused others to do. And yet, let it l)e heard in these United 
States, without such a generous policy of expenditure for science 
as gave to Dr. Ilofmann his training in Giessen, or brought him 
to London in 1H48, or built for him laboratories in Bonn and Ber- 
lin, without such provi.sioii hij the Stat<\ the fruits of his service 
would have been lost to the world. Aye, and for want of a like 
broad and prudent p»-ovision for research with higher education, 
in this country, other men of great love for science and great 
power of investigation every year fail of their rightful career for 
the service of mankind. 
For the prosecution of research, in the larger questions now be- 
fore us, no training within the limitations of human life can be 
too broad or too deep. No provision of revenue, so far as of 
real use. to science, can be too lil)eral. The truest investigation 
is the most prudent expenditure that can be made. 
In respect to the support that is wanted for work in science, I 
have reason for speaking with confidence. If I go be^'ond the 
subject with which I began I do not go beyond the warrant of 
the Association. This body has lately defined what its members 
maj' say, by creating a committee to receive endowments for the 
support of research. 
There are men and women who have been so far rewarded, that 
great means of progress are in their hands, to be vigorously held 
for the best advantage. Strength is required to use large means, 
as well as to accumulate them. It is inevitable to wealth, that it 
shall be put to some sort of use, for without investment it dies. 
By scattered investment wealth loses personal force. The Amer- 
ican Association, in the conservative interests of learning, pro- 
poses certain effective investments in science. If it be not given 
to every plodding worker to be a promoter of discovery, such at 
all events is the privilege of wealth, under the authorit}' of this 
Association. If it be not the good fortune of every investigator 
to reach knowledge that is new, there are, every year, in ever}' 
section of this body, workers of whom it is clear that they would 
reach some discovery of merit, if only the means of work could 
be granted them. Whosoever supplies the means fairly deserves 
and will receive a share in the results. It is quite with justice 
that the name of Elizabeth Thompson, the first of the patrons, 
has been associated with some twenty-one modest determinations 
of merit recognized by this Association. 
••To procure for the labors of scientific men increased facilities'' 
