Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-03-25
FRIES ERIE Vol. a, NO. AZ.
The Future of American Science.

10 TO take In the science of the futur,
Is one OF much interest in connection
with the national character, ano
which has become lately prominent
10 public discussion. There are no.
wanting those who maintain tina,
this continent is TO take the lead OF
the world in the develo, ment Of sci
ence during the coming generations
National vanity and spreadeagle
patriotism are probably not withou
their influence in encouraging such
ideas, yet they are soberly held by
many, on the ground that the peopie
OF this country are destined to be
carried up t higher standard o.
Intelligence and mental cultivation
that can be attained by the peopleloi
any other country. There is feel
ing among scientific men abroad
however, that our mental activity il
an over activity, aud that the cir
| cumstances here are not, and in tn,
future can not be, favorable TO tina
elaboration and quiet, solitary men
tai effort WHICH are necessary for th,
extension Of the boundaries of sci.
ence. 1t seems TO be generally ad
mitted that the guilty ators of origin
al scientific work must be class
apart, relieved from care, and lead
ing secluded and unexcited lives; and
the past history of science, it mus
be admitted, does much to Justify
this view.
1t is therefore claimed that our
higher education should provide es>
pecially for the training of original
Investigators, and for their support
under circumstances favorable TO IN
interrupted experiment and reflect,
ion. Professor Tyndall' urged this
view with earnest eloquence in his
lectur 8, and generously left ell the
money he received above his expen.
ses To carry out such paD. Of the
S23 600 which be received, $4,000
he conveyed to committee, which
is authorized TO expend it for the as
sistance Of students in original sci
ence, in gaining their education, and
IN carrying out their researches.
The il terest Of this sum will not 90
very far i this way; but it is noble
example, and can hardly fail TO in.
cite Others to do likewise. There
are not few who are disposed to
resent the utterances of Professor
Tyndall as casting reflections upon
American science, but the imputa
tion is unealIed for. Prof. Tyndall
was not drawn to this country to
make money. He came at the ur-
gent solicitation of many friends, and
worked in the pure interest of sci
ence; and the appropriation of bis
funds for the purposes specified was
made in good faith, and is in entire
keeping with his character. Moth
ing is m ore notorious than the fact
that with all our boasted education,
and all our experimenting wealth,
and all our Wanted liberality in the
use of it, the original worn ers in sci
ence are but stability appreciated
aud wretchedly sustained in the la
Dor of investigation. Yet we believe
that time will amend this state of
things. Hitherto we have been be-
hind hand, but it is not always to be
so. American life With it's rush and
excitements, will probably continue
to be q good deal unfavorabIe for
tranquil and reflective thought; but
advantages can hardly tail to arise
from our peculiar Circumstances, for
science has been by no means all ere.
ated in the cloister. Lonely think
ers have done much to promote it,
but too much isolation has also its
dangers Minds 40 circumstance
are very apt to run into distractions
and lose their hold upon the practical
side of things. Many facts and
truths have certainly been arrived
at by the naked, unaided power of
reflection, but more practical truths
have been discovered because prac-
teal questions were thrust upon the
attention of scientists. The arts of
life offered their problems to iveeti-
gators for solution, and the stimulus
from this source has bad large share
in the progress of science. II ia prob
ably from this point ofview that the
American scientific mind will mainly
work in the future: 1t may be re-
proach that we are over practical, yet
the pressure and exigencies of prsc-
tice are constantly opening new av-
enues TO revenues TO original inqui
ry. The Americans, we cannot
doubt, will perform their part in the
scientific advancement of the future.
remodelling old dresses, that IL will
be likely to be the standard style