In an experiment of research, on the other hand, this is not the
principal aim.... Experiments of this class--those in which
measurement of some kind is involved--are the proper work of a
physical laboratory. In every experiment we have first to make
our senses familiar with the phenomenon; but we must not stop
here--we must find out which of its features are capable of
measurement, and what measurements are required in order to make
a complete specification of the phenomenon. We must then make
these measurements, and deduce from them the result which we
require to find.
This characteristic of modern experiments--that they consist
principally of measurements--is so prominent that the opinion
seems to have got abroad that, in a few years, all the great
physical constants will have been approximately estimated, and
that the only occupation which will then be left to men of
science will be to carry these measurements to another place of
decimals.
If this is really the state of things to which we are
approaching, our laboratory may, perhaps, become celebrated as a
place of conscientious labour and consummate skill; but it will
be out of place in the university, and ought rather to be
classed with the other great workshops of our country, where
equal ability is directed to more useful ends.
But we have no right to think thus of the unsearchable riches of
creation, or of the untried fertility of those fresh minds into
which these riches will continually be poured.... The history
of Science shows that, even during that phase of her progress
in which she devotes herself to improving the accuracy of the
numerical measurement of quantities with which she has long been
familiar, she is preparing the materials for the subjugation of
new regions, which would have remained unknown if she had been
contented with the rough methods of her early pioneers.
Maxwell's "Electricity and Magnetism" was published in 1873. Shortly
afterwards there were placed in his hands, by the Duke of Devonshire,
the Cavendish Manuscripts on Electricity, already alluded to. To these
he devoted much of his spare time for several years, and many of
Cavendish's experiments were repeated in the laboratory by Maxwell
himself, or under his direction by his students. The introductory
matter and notes embodied in "The Electrical Researches of the
Honourable Henry Cavendish, F.R.S.," afford sufficient evidence of the
amount of labour he expended over this work. The volume was published
only a few weeks before his death. Another of Maxwell's publications,
which, as a text-book, is unique and beyond praise, is the little book
on "Matter and Motion," published by the S.P.C.K.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account