Trin: Coll: Dub: | 20 October 1856.
My dear Sir,
I sent to Messrs Taylor and Francis,1 by this day’s post, for the Phil. Mag., my paper on the Cleavage of rocks and Distribution of Fossils2 – I fear it is almost too late for the November number, but I should like it to appear as soon as may be convenient, as I think I have obtained a few steps in advance on this interesting subject.
I have hit the Geological surveyors a little hard in the closing words of my paper,3 but in truth they richly deserve it, at least some of them and those who do not feel the justice in my remarks as much as I do myself. A new doctrine has sprung up among us lately, to the effect that the Government, and in especial his Royal Highness Prince Albert,4 is the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, and consequently that all Government officials, ex termini necessitate,5 are competent, wise and good.
This is a perversion of the old Stoical Doctrine6 with a vengeance – This pernicious dogma, which is equivalent to Scientific Popery,7 should be resisted by every one who has the interests of Science really at heart, and not the advancement of cliques aping the manners and pretending to speak the sentiments of men of real merit.
I could mention many instances in Ireland of grievous wrong done to modest worth, because it wanted an official puffer;8 and a contrâ9 of successful quackery promoted and applauded because it was loud, noisy and forward to attract attention – – I beg your pardon for having written such a rambling note, but I am never tired of this subject which has not received yet the attention it deserves.
I you agree with me, and your experience accords with mine, you will understand my warmth; if not, please burn my letter and forget my ebullition of spleen.
I am yours sincerely | Saml. Haughton.
RI MS JT/1/2/482
LT Transcript Only
Messrs Taylor & Francis: The publishers and owners of Phil. Mag.
my paper on …Distribution of Fossils: Houghton’s paper ‘On the Cleavage of Rocks and the Distribution of Fossils’ was published in Phil. Mag., 12 (1856), pp. 409–21.
the closing words of my paper: Haughton’s paper included a mathematical analysis of the dips of cleavage and concluded: ‘An opportunity of obtaining the information requisite for a perfect mechanical theory of cleavage is afforded by the means of observation possessed by the Staff of the Geological Survey of Great Britain and Ireland. If the operations of such a survey were conducted with the science and skill necessary for carrying out such an important work, nothing would be wanting to complete the data requisite for the solution of many interesting problems in physical geology. But it is much to be feared, that so long as geologists remain in the half-educated condition with which they are at present contented, that such an amount of intelligent observation is not to be looked for; and that those who wish for satisfactory foundations of facts on which to build their theories, must even be content to take their hammers in their hands, and having strapped on their knapsacks, to seek in the field of nature the facts for themselves.’
Prince Albert: Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert (1819–61), second son of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha who had married Victoria in 1840. One of the principal projectors of the Great Exhibition in 1851, he strongly supported the reform of British science and technical education.
ex termini necessitate: without exception (Latin).
the old Stoical Doctrine: the teaching that a sage would display judgement without bias and emotion and always act for the greatest good. Haughton clearly had a poor opinion of the Department of Science and Art and of the Geological Survey.
Scientific Popery: Although the doctrine of papal infallibility was not promulgated until 1870, Protestants (like Haughton) frequently likened Roman Catholicism to a dictatorship. When governments dictated or controlled scientific work, this became equivalent to popery in Haughton’s view.
official puffer: an advocate or spokesman.
a contrâ: on the contrary (Latin).
Please cite as “Tyndall1288,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on