Doncaster Scientific Society

A Lecture on Norway

The first ordinary meeting of the session was held in the Science Room, Guild Hall Yard, on Wednesday last.

The President, the Rev. Halliwell Thomas, gave his introductory address before a good muster of members and friends, and a lecture describing three weeks’ visit to Norway.

The address dealt with the question of methods of scientific study in view of the recent accumulation of new facts and principles in all departments of exact knowledge. Referring to Comte’s classification of sciences as an alleged help towards the acquirement of encyclopedic information and as suggesting a correct logic of investigation, the lecturer quoted a portion of Gargantua’s letter of advice to Pantagruel from Rabelais, in  which four centuries ago the vanity of aiming at too wide a range of acquisition was satirized.

If it was absurd to aim at becoming “an Abyss of Science” in the sixteenth century , every decade since had increased that absurdity. The fabric of science is certain to be raised higher in the future by ever-increasing intensity of specialization. This is not saying that there is no excuse  for the large class of persons who have no ability or taste for specialization, who are disciples rather than masters who with open minds receive thankfully what exact investigation brings to light and who revere the verified results of science as sure and lofty and profitable truth. This class stands far behind that of investigators who arrive at original results, but it is honourable and needful in its own place.

The Norway portion of the lecture, which was illustrated by coloured lantern views, described briefly portions of the scenery of Norway, and commented on the appearance, character, institutions, and economic position of the people. Notice was taken of the probability of the rapid destruction of the loveliest parts of the scenery of the country through the introduction of chemical manufacturers favoured by the use of electricity derived from the innumerable magnificent waterfalls. For the behoof of the Chemical members particularly, reference was made to the new process of extracting nitrous oxide from atmospheric air as exemplified in the extensive works at Odda.

A discussion followed in which Miss Lynd, Dr. H. H. Corbett, and Mr. M. H. Stiles took part. A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. M. H. Stiles, was given to the lecturer.