an
actual vice. For instance, the desire to weigh things to 1-10 mg. which
should only have been weighed to a centigram, measuring to 1-10 mm., and
calculating averages to several places of decimals. In such a science as
Botany this may be positive waste of time. Sachs, the great German
botanist, in whose laboratory I worked, was never tired of complaining of
this "sogenannte Genauigkeit," (this so-called accuracy). I am told that
Lord Rayleigh, whose physical inquiries demand in some cases excessive
and minute accuracy, has a wonderful instinct for knowing when and where
he may relax his methods.

I have been compelled to use the words 'science' and 'scientific' because
these terms have become firmly adherent to a group of subjects such as
Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Botany, etc., and cannot now be detached
from them. Unfortunately 'scientific' is used in another sense as
implying accuracy of experimental method and in deduction from results.
So that in calling ourselves scientific men we run the risk of seeming to
claim a monopoly of method, as though we pretended to be somehow superior
to the trained workers in other branches. The current use of the word
seems therefore to cast unjust suspicion on literature. I wish that the
word _science_ could be restored to its original meaning of knowledge, or
the art of knowing; but words (like organisms) are evolved, and against
evolution the gods fight in vain. In any case I hope it will be believed
that in speaking of knowledge I have taken instances from what is usually
called science, not out of disrespect to literature, but like Dr. Johnson
in a different affair--from ignorance.

I imagine Dr. Birkbeck to have had no idea that this institution would be
so extensively used for preparing people for examinations. I doubt
whether he would have liked it, but respect to the pious memory of a
founder may be exaggerated, and since there is no getting rid of
examinations, the next best thing is to make the art of coaching as
little harmful as may be to pupil and teacher. I do not mean to speak
slightingly of coaching as a whole, for a great deal of it is only a very
skilful way of imparting knowledge, but it will be allowed that some of
it is not educative in a broad sense.

You will remember that Mr. Brooke, in _Middlemarch_, was in the habit of
mildly investigating questions which he always threw over because he
foresaw they would "carry him too far." I confess to