Page:The Harveian oration ; delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, June 26th, 1879 (IA b24976465).pdf/38

 wonderful spirit which was actuating Englishmen, every man believed in himself and in his country, and this cannot be better exemplified than by the old and well-known story of the people rallying round their queen, on the news of the approach of the Spanish Armada. There was an awakening and moving spirit stirring the hearts and intellects of men. Each according to his power was doing his work; whilst Milton was shortly afterwards to preach freedom, Harvey in his sphere of science was exploring nature, and Bacon, though not an investigator himself, imbued with the true spirit, was teaching men with his pen how they should seek truth for themselves. One did not learn from the other, a common motive impelled them all, and the same spirit which roused them to independence and activity was operating on those who at about this glorious period of our history, founded the two Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.

It would be taking, however, but a very superficial survey of the history of science were we to look upon it as the work of the few great men whose discoveries stand out as land marks in the domain of knowledge, rather, we should say, that a host of lesser workers have contributed