Page:The Scientific Monthly vol. 3.djvu/591

 OUR DUTY TO THE FUTURE s^S

��OUR DUTY TO THE FUTURE

Bt C. B. vail, M.A.

AaSOCIATB PBOFBSSOB OF CHBMISTBT^ COLOBADO ▲QBICULTURAL COUJDOB

IN a certain western city a prominent portrait photographer has for many years used the slogan, *' Preserve the Present for the Fu- ture/' While his chief work, naturally, has been the preservation of the likeness of human beings, his advertising contains an appeal to the sentiment of his patrons that might well be the sentiment of all of us toward every worthy product of human endeavor.

There may be found in this slogan the germ of an idea that appears to have been given but slight consideration in our present age of hurry and worry, hustle and bustle, strain and stress. This idea may be ex- pressed broadly as the desirability of making some definite effort to preserve our present-day knowledge, along with the best products of man's hand and brain, in a form that will endure as long as the Pyra- mids, or even much longer. With our present scientific knowledge and spirit, the glories of this age ought to be recorded and made intelligible to posterity in a manner that could be equalled or surpassed only by posterity. There should be a concerted effort and aim of living civilized men to preserve a representative portion of the present for the future.

There are probably few men in the scientific world who do not think it well worth while, and even necessary, to take an interest in some branch or branches of science outside of their own specialties. One may go even further and say that many scientific men take more or less interest in all sciences. While it may be nothing more than a guess, yet it may be stated as a probability that the majority of the readers of The Soientifio Monthly belong to this latter class. If this is true, or even half true, it may be assumed that this article is addressed to a considerable number of men who are interested to a greater or less degree in the fascinating science of archeology.

The ephemeral, transient character of most of the present works and products of man is readily noted. What bearing will this fact have upon the future? Any person who is familiar with the work of the many enthusiastic, patient and long-suffering archeologists of the last sixty years will recall the problems and difficulties which have harassed these workers. While many most interesting and noteworthy discov- eries have been made, they have cost much money, time and labor, and the best years of many worthy men. Let us ask ourselves if it is right that we, with our costly experiences in attaining what is at best but an imperfect knowledge of ancient civilizations, should be indifferent as to

VOL. III.— 40.

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