It is clear that only two methods of self-defence would have been open to
the rain-maker: namely, either to kill Sir Samuel, or to buy his real
secret of bottling the lightning, that he might use it for his own ends.
The former method--that of killing the man of science--was found more
easy in ancient times; the latter in these modern ones. And there have
been always those who, too good-natured to kill the scientific man, have
patronised knowledge, not for its own sake, but for the use which may be
made of it; who would like to keep a tame man of science, as they would a
tame poet, or a tame parrot; who say--Let us have science by all means,
but not too much of it. It is a dangerous thing; to be doled out to the
world, like medicine, in small and cautious doses. You, the scientific
man, will of course freely discover what you choose. Only do not talk
too loudly about it: leave that to us. We understand the world, and are
meant to guide and govern it. So discover freely: and meanwhile hand
over your discoveries to us, that we may instruct and edify the populace
with so much of them as we think safe, while we keep our position
thereby, and in many cases make much money by your science. Do that, and
we will patronise you, applaud you, ask you to our houses; and you shall
be clothed in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously with us every
day. I know not whether these latter are not the worst enemies which
science has. They are often such excellent, respectable, orderly, well-
meaning persons. They desire so sincerely that everyone should be wise:
only not too wise. They are so utterly unaware of the mischief they are
doing. They would recoil with horror if they were told they were so many
Iscariots, betraying Truth with a kiss.
But science, as yet, has withstood both terrors and blandishments. In
old times, she endured being imprisoned and slain. She came to life
again. Perhaps it was the will of Him in whom all things live, that she
should live. Perhaps it was His spirit which gave her life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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