Page:The Harveian oration (electronic resource) - Royal College of Physicians, 1881 (IA b20411911).pdf/43

 about to be erected to Harvey in his native town, in recognition of his great work, more than three hundred years after his birth. Tardy as this particular acknowledgment is, it must not be regarded as an evidence that his work has only now begun to be appreciated. His fame needed no such monument to bring it afresh to our memory; his name will last when the marble has crumbled into dust. While our race continues on this globe, he will be remembered as one of the great pioneers in scientific research; while this College lasts, he will be remembered as one of its most sincere well-wishers, one of the kindliest of our Fellows. If we be but true to ourselves and to him, the College will yet triumph over the attacks of its foes. But the temptation which assails every practitioner of medicine must be stoutly resisted, sternly put aside. The race for fame and popularity is not for us as seekers after truth. The acquisition of wealth is not for any of us a legitimate aim. Pecuniary rewards will attend success, however attained; but success is not necessarily a test of merit. Truth must be sought for its own sake, and not because its publication brings renown to its discoverer, and opens up to him the avenues to future distinction. If such a course calls for some self-abnegation on the part of our junior Fellows, they will bear with me, I am sure, if, as one of the seniors, I remind them that thus alone