The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-14
The Association for the Advancement of
Seipnce

science.
one OF the commonest errors of the popular
imagination is that III regard to very learned or
scientific people. They are supposed, before
their acquaintance is made, to be men of very
marked appearance, carrying the stamp of
great achievements upon every lneament of
their faces and every part of their bodies They
are pictured as giants or at least as giant-head-
ed Their presence is commanding if not ma
jestic. Or, remembering the obstruseness of
their investigations, we have fancied them as
'never present in this mortal frame"-eccentric
to the last degree-careless of their personal
appearance, -oblivious to anything practical
and attentive only to their specific scientific
pursuits We suppose them unable to talk OF
common things but imagine that their CONVEX
sation consists only of almost unpronounceable
latin names, of length inversely proportionate
to the size of the objects designated
A photograph of the popular notion of the
convention about to sit in our city would rival
the array of uncouth monsters of an archao>
logical museum.
If we were about to entertain at our houses,
few scientific gentlemen, of great reputation,
but whom we had never seen or heard describ-
ed, the chances are that we should regard the1
coming with dread and awe, or, at least, with
much embarrassment We should feel utterly
at loss to provide for them. We could not ex-
pect to interest them by our conversational
suggest any recreation suited to their tastes and
We might even be doubtful whether they sub
sist on common food or require special diet to
sustain their peculiar organisms.
But even if we have not the cruder popular
conception of intensely scientific men, it is safe
to believe that those who have never seen the
American Association in convention assembled,
or met with its leading members, notwithstand-
ing they may be possessed of intelligence and
education, will be greatly disappointed with the
personal appearance of the body. 1t is COM
posed of men not whit more remarkable, in
this respect, than any other assembly of edu-
Gated gentlemen, whether they be lawyers,
merchants, or physicians. There is nothing so
peculiar and distinctive in it as in a conference
of clergymen. In fact the members are very
ordinary looking men. Modest, unassuming,
quiet, are they. Not fond of display; rather
suspicious of the sensual. Interested in what
ever goes on about them, but keeply alive and
enthusiastic only when specially aroused by
some discussion or the investigation of some
novelty.
Some of the effects of the entertainment of
the Association by the private families of one
of our New England cities, it may not be un-
interesting to Portlanders to be reminded of at
this time. Many exceedingly'pleasan and per-
manent acquaintance were formed. 1t was
found that in the main the members were gen.
tlemen of extensive observation, having trav-
eled extensively; simple in their habits, aud
gratified with everything done for their COM
fort and convenience. They admirably adapted
themselves TO their situations and afforded a
vast amount of real enjoyment TO their enter
tainers. If it were again decided to hold the
meeting of the Association in that city, the re-
ception of it would he even more hospitable and
hearty than before.
1t is not proposed that our citizens shall open
their houses to the members of the Association
as some other cities have done; but, certainly,
no one need hesitate a moment to furnish board
in response to the appeal of the Committee on
Reception, at his own price, to these gentlemen
on the score of not knowing what to do for very
learned people We may well believe that the
pleasant experience of other localities will he
repeated here, and that we shall receive ample
compensation for any bospita atty, public or pri-
vate, which we may bestow. L.G. j.