New-York tribune., 1901-12-31
AMERICAS PLACE N SCIENCE.
THE FOUNDING OF A NEW INSTITUTION
URGENTLY RECOMMENDED

In the January North American Review" Carl
Snyder expresses the opinion that America occu-
pies an inferior position in the scientific world.
He commends the work of Morton. Wells. Draper.
Langley. Newcomb, Rowland Nicholson, Picker
ing Burnham and Keller He ranks Henry al
most with Faraday. But he insists that this coun-
try is not contributing il should 10 the great
advances in electricity, chemistry. physics and
biology.
Mr. Snyder explains the fact by declaring that
America is lacking in a class of institutions like
the Pasteur Institute, the Sorbonne and College
Of France in Paris and the Royal Institution in
London. The Smithsonian Institution resembles
the College of France, where Berthelot's work has
been performed. but Mr. Snyder remarks that the
former has no such resources, equipment aims
the latter. He concludes follows:
But the stronghold of English science within
the last century has distinctly been the Royal In
sttuion in AlbemGrle-st. From thence have the
the singulary varied mind of DIR. Thomas Young
elaborated the unduatory theory Of light, and de
Ptolemios. There the flashing genius of Sir Hum
the man in the street taking Of the latest marveIs
of chemistry. There the whole life work of Fara-
Of Tyndall made the hardest subjects Of physics
s aa I d Rssh 9y Rve Tf mas c Fq
striking discoveries Of new elements and opened
The result was the Royal institution. 1t has
scarcely held to the ideals Of us founder Its chief
the most notable men of England and the Continent
are drawn upon to. sketch in entertainine way
inventors come too: there are courses for YOUNG
folk; there is splendid library and no club in
flO a year and the list is large No wonder for q
tolerably assiduous attendance affords an oppOr-
funity TO listen to and to make the acquaintance
Of the most famous and most interesting men OF
There are but three proiessorships Like those
End the opportunities for research wide. Tho
system is ideal: yet. considering the number of
chairs. is simply marvel that single institu-
ton in a single century could show such q roster
ments 1t would be hardly too much TO say that
during this hundred years of its existence the
Royal Institution alone has done for English
science than all Of the English universities put
together This IS certainly true with regard 10
British industry. for here that the discover
les Faraday were made.
The German university system and the indc
pendence and leisure which it affords German pro-
fessors are well known to need sketchng here.
II is pleasing TO note that something of this
vogue with American universities OF this.
much good may come. But there is room-nay. II
the United States wish TO hold the position
in he world OF science as they proud
hold industriay. commercially and perhaps in n
social and literary way well. there is a very
articulate need-for institutions like those Of Paris
and like the ROYAL Institution which American
refugee founded with such large results. in
II would require but the cooperation of those
and who have desire to keep abreast of the
swiftly advancing knowledge or their day tn
achieve the beginnings OF great institution which
should be scientific club. forum where
the chief notables alike OF Europe and America
might be gathered and heard. and a seat of scien-
tidc research. l should like to see should like
TO assist -. the founding Of snch an institution
in the c.ef city of the New World.