Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 59.djvu/197

Rh science in our country may possibly be attributed to the youth of the country; but a direct tax, to prevent the growth of our country in that subject, cannot be looked upon as other than a deep disgrace. I refer to the duty upon foreign books and periodicals. In our science, no books above elementary ones have ever been published, or are likely to be published, in this country; and yet every teacher in physics must have them, not only in the college library, but on his own shelves, and must pay the government of this country to allow him to use a portion of his small salary to buy that which is to do good to the whole country. All freedom of intercourse which is necessary to foster our growing science is thus broken off; and that which might, in time, relieve our country of its mediocrity, is nipped in the bud by our government, which is most liberal when appealed to directly on scientific subjects.

One would think that books in foreign languages might be admitted free; but to please the half-dozen or so workmen who reprint German books, not scientific, our free intercourse with that country is cut off. Our scientific associations and societies must make themselves heard in this matter, and show those in authority how the matter stands.

In conclusion, let me say once more, that I do not believe that our country is to remain long in its present position. The science of physics, in whose applications our country glories, is to arise among us, and make us respected by the nations of the world. Such a prophecy may seem rash with regard to a nation which does not yet do enough physical work to support a physical journal. But we do know the speed with which we advance in this country: we see cities springing up in a night, and other wonders performed at an unprecedented rate. And now we see physical laboratories being built, we see a great demand for thoroughly trained physicists, who have not shirked their mathematics, both as professors and in so-called practical life; and perhaps we have the feeling, common to all true Americans, that our country is going forward to a glorious future, when we shall lead the world in the strife for intellectual prizes as we now do in the strife for wealth.

But if this is to be so, we must not aim low. The problems of the universe cannot be solved without labor: they cannot be attacked without the proper intellectual as well as physical tools; and no physicist need expect to go far without his mathematics. No one expects a horse to win in a great and long race who has not been properly trained; and it would be folly to attempt to win with one, however pure his blood and high his pedigree, without it. The problems we solve are more difficult than any race: the highest intellect cannot hope to succeed without proper preparation. The great prizes are reserved for the