decline of science in england-第4节
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。 There are other advantages which are perhaps of more importance to the public。 The numbers which compose the learned professions in England are so considerable； that a kind of public opinion is generated amongst them； which powerfully tends to repress conduct that is injurious either to the profession or to the public。 Again； the mutual jealousy and rivalry excited amongst the whole body is so considerable； that although the rank and estimation which an individual holds in the profession may be most unfairly appreciated； by taking the opinion of his rival； yet few estimations will be found generally more correct than the opinion of a whole profession on the merits of any one of its body。 This test is of great value to the public； and becomes the more so； in proportion to the difficulty of the study to which the profession is devoted。 It is by availing themselves of it that men of sense and judgment； who have occasion for the services of professional persons； are； in a great measure； guided in their choice。
The pursuit of science does not； in England； constitute a distinct profession； as it does in many other countries。 It is therefore； on that ground alone； deprived of many of the advantages which attach to professions。 One of its greatest misfortunes arises from this circumstance； for the subjects on which it is conversant are so difficult； and require such unremitted devotion of time； that few who have not spent years in their study can judge of the relative knowledge of those who pursue them。 It follows； therefore； that the public； and even that men of sound sense and discernment； can scarcely find means to distinguish between the possessors of knowledge； in the present day； merely elementary； and those whose acquirements are of the highest order。 This remark applies with peculiar force to all the more difficult applications of mathematics； and the fact is calculated to check the energies of those who only look to reputation in England。
As there exists with us no peculiar class professedly devoted to science； it frequently happens that when a situation； requiring for the proper fulfilment of its duties considerable scientific attainments； is vacant； it becomes necessary to select from among amateurs； or rather from among persons whose chief attention has been bestowed on other subjects； and to whom science has been only an occasional pursuit。 A certain quantity of scientific knowledge is of course possessed by individuals in many professions； and when added to the professional acquirements of the army； the navy； or to the knowledge of the merchant； is highly meritorious： but it is obvious that this may become； when separated from the profession； quite insignificant as the basis of a scientific reputation。
To those who have chosen the profession of medicine； a knowledge of chemistry； and of some branches of natural history； and； indeed； of several other departments of science； affords useful assistance。 Some of the most valuable names which adorn the history of English science have been connected with this profession。
The causes which induce the selection of the clerical profession are not often connected with science； and it is； perhaps； a question of considerable doubt whether it is desirable to hold out to its members hopes of advancement from such acquirements。 As a source of recreation； nothing can be more fit to occupy the attention of a divine； and our church may boast； in the present as in past times； that the domain of science has been extended by some of its brightest ornaments。
In England； the profession of the law is that which seems to hold out the strongest attraction to talent； from the circumstance； that in it ability； coupled with exertion； even though unaided by patronage； cannot fail of obtaining reward。 It is frequently chosen as an introduction to public life。 It also presents great advantages； from its being a qualification for many situations more or less remotely connected with it； as well as from the circumstance that several of the highest officers of the state must necessarily have sprung from its ranks。
A powerful attraction exists； therefore； to the promotion of a study and of duties of all others engrossing the time most completely； and which is less benefited than most others by any acquaintance with science。 This is one amongst the causes why it so very rarely happens that men in public situations are at all conversant even with the commonest branches of scientific knowledge； and why scarcely an instance can be cited of such persons acquiring a reputation by any discoveries of their own。
But； however consistent other sciences may be with professional avocations； there is one which； from its extreme difficulty； and the overwhelming attention which it demands； can only be pursued with success by those whose leisure is undisturbed by other claims。 To be well acquainted with the present state of mathematics； is no easy task； but to add to the powers which that science possesses； is likely to be the lot of but few English philosophers。
SECTION 2。
OF NATIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT。
The little encouragement which at all previous periods has been afforded by the English Government to the authors of useful discoveries； or of new and valuable inventions； is justified on the following grounds：
1。 The public； who consume the new commodity or profit by the new invention； are much better judges of its merit than the government can be。
2。 The reward which arises from the sale of the commodity is usually much larger than that which government would be justified in bestowing； and it is exactly proportioned to the consumption； that is； to the want which the public feel for the new article。
It must be admitted that； as general principles； these are correct： there are； however； exceptions which flow necessarily from the very reasoning from which they were deduced。 Without entering minutely into these exceptions； it will be sufficient to show that all abstract truth is entirely excluded from reward under this system。 It is only the application of principles to common life which can be thus rewarded。 A few instances may perhaps render this position more evident。 The principle of the hydrostatic paradox was known as a speculative truth in the time of Stevinus； ＇About the year 1600＇ and its application to raising heavy weights has long been stated in elementary treatises on natural philosophy； as well as constantly exhibited in lectures。 Yet； it may fairly be regarded as a mere abstract principle； until the late Mr。 Bramah； by substituting a pump instead of the smaller column； converted it into a most valuable and powerful engine。The principle of the convertibility of the centres of oscillation and suspension in the pendulum； discovered by Huygens more than a century and a half ago； remained； until within these few years； a sterile； though most elegant proposition； when； after being hinted at by Prony； and distinctly pointed out by Bonenberger； it was employed by Captain Kater as the foundation of a most convenient practical method of determining the length of the pendulum。The interval which separated the discovery； by Dr。 Black； of latent heat； from the beautiful and successful application of it to the steam engine； was comparatively short； but it required the efforts of two minds； and both were of the highest order。The influence of electricity in producing decompositions； although of inestimable value as an instrument of discovery in chemical inquiries； can hardly be said to have been applied to the practical purposes of life； until the same powerful genius which detected the principle； applied it； by a singular felicity of reasoning； to arrest the corrosion of the copper…sheathing of vessels。 That admirably connected chain of reasoning； the truth of which is confirmed by its very failure as a remedy； will probably at some future day supply； by its successful application； a new proof of the position we are endeavouring to establish。
＇I am authorised in stating； that this was regarded by Laplace as the greatest of Sir Humphry Davy's discoveries。 It did not fail in producing the effect foreseen by Sir H。 Davy；the preventing the corrosion of the copper； but it failed as a cure of the evil； by producing one of an OPPOSITE character； either by preserving too perfectly from decay the surface of the copper； or by rendering it negative； it allowed marine animals and vegetables to accumulate on its surface； and thus impede the progress of the vessel。＇
Other instances might； if necessary； be adduced； to show that long intervals frequently elapse between the discovery of new principles in science and their practical application： nor ought this at all to surprise us。 Those intellectual qualifications； which give birth to new principles or to new methods； are of quite a different order from those which are necessary for their practical application。
At the time of the discovery of the beautiful theorem of Huygens； it required in its author not merely a complete knowledge of the mathematical science of his age； but a genius to enlarge its boundaries by new creations of his own。 Such talents are not always united with a quick perception of the details； and of the practica
