The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-10
THE TYNDALL SCHOLARSHIPS.

THE TYNDALL SCHOLARSHIPS.
In 1872 Prof. John Tyndall, of the Royal
Institution of Great Britain, came to the
United States at the solicitation Of number
of the most eminent of American scientists,
who assured him that he could reap golden
harvest by giving course of six lectures on
the subjectof molecular physics-mainly light
and heat-in several Of the Atlantic cities.
His invariable. reply was that no pecuniary
inducements would have any weight with
him. ''If come to you" he said, 'it is be-
cause my friends in the United States desire it,
and think that could be of service in the cause
Of American science; but will not lecture for
money nor bring away a dollar of the pro-
ceeds Of my labor" The lectures were the
most brilliant in their matter, method and
illustrations ever given before American
audiences on scientific subjects, and did
much to impel college faculties to give
greater prominence to scientific study by
the experimental and laboratory methods.
Their aim was to show the claims of pure or
theoretic SCIENCE leaving the unitarian bene
fits to follow, as they always do, of themselves,
when pure science has thrown light on any of
the phenomena of nature. The lectures occu-
pied half year of Professor Tyndalls time,
and Melted 5000. This sum he left in the
care of three trustees, the income to be ex-
pended in aid Of American students Of IN
usual ability who wished to avail themselves
of the means of scientific culture in the Ger
man universities. 1t was in these Professor
Tyndall was educated in science. In his adj
dress at the Tyndall banquet preceding his
departure, he said it was the American Emer
son and the English Carlyle whose writings
impelled him to rise at in the winter morn
ing, break the ice in his tub, and 60
about the duties Of student life,
and he wished to give opportunity
to some devoted American youth to receive
the same discipline. This plan has been car
ried out in part, but the fund has grown in
thirteen years to 2,OO0 Within that time
the courses in science have been made so
extensive and thorough in the great American
universities that the promotion of higher
scientific study ranks with that of Europe.
Professor Tyndall has concurred with the
trustees, and the sum has been divided
equally between Columbia College, of New
York, Harvard College and the University of
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, for the founda.
ton of three permanent scholarships in phys
-ical science, the students to fit themselves for
original research at home or abroad, as the
college faculties might decide.
This benefaction is more notable for the
impressive circumstances of its origin than
for it's magnitude twas the contributions
of American audiences such as might have
greeted Agassiz, Huxley, or Spencer to the
most striking and instructive series of lee
lures ever given in this country. His appa-
ratus and methods have been used and followed
in hundred American colleges. This money
also represented the hard earnings of one Of
the most gifted and high-minded scientific
men of this generation, and was a free-will
Offering on the altar of American science.
The act and the motive set in play thirteen
years ago by Mr.. Tyndall has now become an
enduring power in scientific education for all
time. 1t is comparable only with the purity
and devotion of such colaborers as Mr. Tyn-
dali has enjoyed in Agassiz in this country,
and Pasteur in France.