National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-01-13
TIE KING RECEPTIONS.
An Interesting Address by Professor Simo
NewComb.

Newcomb.
The weekly literary and social receptions Of
Hon. Horatio and Mrs. King, which have been
so popular here for some years past, were re-
sumod on the 9TH instant. As this happened,
unfortunately, to be one Of the coolest even
ings ever known here many who had received
Invitations wero compelled to forego the an
ticipated pleasure Of attending. But last Sat
urday evening proved exceptionally mild, and
the cosy parlors were once more tbrongcd with
the intellectual elite of the Capital, embracing
members and eNmembers Of Congress, heads Of
bureaus, aud distinguished sarns with their
wives and daughters, journalists and Hterdteirs
Of both sexes, as well "a many of similar tastes
who, though occupying high positions in
" society," are glad TO exchange for ono hour
in the week, its frivoltios and cXactions for
the more substantial intellectual fare and con.
genial mental culture here to be found.
The literary feature of the evening was an
address by Professor Simon Ncwcomb, L. :.
~, so well known III tho scientific circles OF
both hemisphores, on The Advantages Of APP
plying Scientific Methods to the Solution Of
Political aud Social Problems After refer
ring TO the current opinions among so-ca,lcd
practical men as to the value of abstract scicn.
tiGc investigation, he proceeded to define the
true scientific method This was not, hU said,
to 80 TO nature and ask her to yield up some
secret which, while vastly benciitng mankind,
should make the disCOverer wealthy and
famous In fact, there Is scarcely an instance
on record where any great original scientific
fact or principle has been discovered by ono
who regarded utility rs a primary end. The
true dovotee Of science is content to seek, by
patient inquiry and experiment, for truth as
to the great laws which uudCTliC the material
universe, aud is careless what effect the result
may have ON the worlds prcconceived ideas or
on his own personal interests. His ultimate
object Is to acquire such a knowledge Of those
laws as will enable him to predict with at
| least q tolcrabe degree OF certainty what will
| be their action in any given case. Now, ifthis
] same spirit OF impartial inquiry could be sub
stituted, in the considerltion.of such questions
Of political economy rs the effect on national
| prosperity Of au imitation or contraction of the
currency, free trade, or protection, &c, for the
| partisan and prCjudicial spirit with which
| they are usually treated there would obviously
be q much better chance Of arriving at cor
| rect solution.
| This address which was q ven entirely with
out notes, and occupied less than half IN hour
| in its delivery, was evidently carefully con-
| sideted, and so cnlivened by references to an
cient aud modern discoveries that alth ough
| of grayer character than is usually pre-.
| scented at such social gatherings, even the
| younger portion of the company could not
complain of it as dry or tedious. The musi-
cal portion of the entertainment comprised
fine vocal solos by Mrs. Daniels and Miss
ChenOWith, aud several brilliant piano pieces
by Miss Gilbert, graduate or the Conserya-
tory of Luipsic. An hour was then spent in
that genia! social intercourse which forms one
Of the most attractive features Of these re-
unions.