Kablenberg—Factors in Scientific Research. 1299 
is a fertile field for study. May we not expect too that textile 
fabrics ; clothing, and especially paper will he prepared in part, 
if not entirely, of mineral materials that are not inflammable 
and subject to decay, and still possess those highly esteemed 
qualities which characterize fabrics of organic origin. Im¬ 
provements in the preparation and conservation of foods have 
also been progressing, though radical changes made in these 
lines have hardly been great or startling. The methods in use 
have been in the way of gradual improvements rather than 
changes of revolutionary character. 
But it would be wrong to dwell unduly upon the material 
conquests which scientific inquiry has-brought about directly 
or indirectly, and to consider merely the outlook for the future 
of further work in this line. Food, drink, clothing, shelter, 
and all the imaginable physical conveniences that the pursuit 
of science and its applications may shower upon us, though 
exceedingly important, are neither all nor even the main thing 
to he achieved. The ever growing horizon of human thought, 
the better understanding between man and man, and nation 
and nation, follows the pursuit of the truth. About the con¬ 
nection between things material and psychic phenomena we are 
still quite in the dark, though even here we live in hopes that 
the veil may some time he lifted as the result of patient in¬ 
quiry. 
And what are the factors that determine the progress of scien¬ 
tific research at present? First and foremost of all, it is neces¬ 
sary to get strong, able, industrious and enthusiastic young 
men and women to take up this work. A large share of our 
very best native talent must he diverted to carry on scientific 
researches. How is this to he done? The answer is in two 
ways: (1) keen interest in scientific inquiry must be aroused, 
and (2) there must also he placed before the future scientist a 
prospect for a comfortable living. Usually the desire to pre¬ 
pare for a vocation that will he certain to yield the means for 
a good livelihood is uppermost in the minds of young persons 
preparing themselves for life’s work, and with the rank and 
file this will perhaps always he so. But for the one that rep- 
