The morning call., 1894-05-31

off by huge flags hanging gracefully from
the floral arches and draped on either side
amid DrolusiOn of palms and delicate
shru bbery
Shortly after 10 O'Clock President Jordan
opened the exercises with few words of
welcome, after which Rev. DR.. Peat led in
prayer.
The commencement address followed.
and was delivered by Professor John Cas-
per Branner. THE Education OF the
Scent iic Man" was the theme selected by
the SPEAKER, which proved to be replete
with logical argument relative TO the mod
ern ideas of advanced learning.
AS a form Of introduction, he revived
the incipiency of science as a study, the
gradual growth of its various branches,
and the necessary natural qualifications
demanded OF those who pursue its course
de contended that mere intelligence was
only slight factor in the equipment of the
scientific man.
As an illustration Of this fact he quoted
number Of responses that had been sent
him by applicants for positions in geolog-
cal surveys. One man gave as reason
why be should be employed In that capac-
ity that he was graduate from West
Point; another was interested in geology,
and had read many books uDOn the sub
Ject; another was acquainted with Pro-
lessor Winchell; another was in Door
health and thought field work would do
him good, while still another was a con-
slstent member of the Presbyterian church
he commended that the dropping into
science of such men is no longer possible,
as 1t has become evident that those who
are to do the scientific work of TODAY and
OF the future must be thoroughly grounded
In their college training or It's equivalent.
lie said that the natural tendency of the
CO. Aara Nntas an11 E..1N.
lines OF thought aud the branch to which
he seems most adapted be mapped out as a
life study.
According to Mr.. Branner's theory all
scientific education or scientific work is
based upon single dogma, tho only one
which science recogniZes-thRt truth is
better than falsehood. Accuracy in detail
scould be the basis of all preliminar
training.
The speaker laid some stress upon the
evils attending the moral disease which
often attacks the newly fledged student
/ and vuigarly known as the "bis head -
lie would not advise Young man TO d0u BIT
his own ability, as confidence in ones self,
IL wei placed. is an important element in
success.
The necessity of caution on the part of
he young scientist In publishing conclu-
slons that one feels to be open to criii-
clsn," he continued, "or when he sees
cHot iLh pSi tduk ldClS may nave DeeD over
| looked, cannot be 100 strongly emphasized
The publication Of facts is generally use
Iul. but deductions can afford to wait until
they are properly mRtured. Lie is too
snort and progress too SLOW for us To cum
| Der the march of science with verbose dis
cusslons which help toward strife and con-
ientinn Instead of toward truth and union.
intellect is the tool with which the man
OF science has to do his work. II that tool
is Dent out OF shape or dulled by improper
use IL cannot perform its functions PROB
cry. IL is highly essential therefore, Thu /
| ne Keep his intellect unimpaired and strive
| to keep his mind free from those tricks of
| logic, rhetoric and sentiment by which we
are so often imposed upon.
| ABOVE all. let me caution young nat1-
iaIStS against what l may call the de-
natlng society style of reasoning. This
form OF reasoning is calculated to increase
| one thinking powers no doubt but as its
OBJECT is the training of advocates, its in
nuence on man of science is harmful t.
the last degree. for a scientific man must
be Judge. not an advocate.
II believe it Is hardly necessary IN sneak
! hero OF The necessity of ones interesting
blmSeit IN a specially If he wishes to ac-
compllsh much IN the way of origin al work
| nowadays.
! The necessity of specialties has sprung
! from tie necessity of a division of labor in
science, just as manual skill comes from a
division OF labor in tho arts"
He believed that the selection of a spe.
clalty should be left entirely tn the stu.
/ dent, who should by no means mistake his
ambition for his natural calling or Imagine
| that because he loves nature he was born
Il naturalist. The lover of nature he com.
pared TO poet whose fancy endOWs ma