A young man passes from our public schools to the universities, ignorant almost of the elements of every branch of useful knowledge.

For one person who is blessed with the power of invention, many will always be found who have the capacity of applying principles.

To those who have chosen the profession of medicine, a knowledge of chemistry, and of some branches of natural history, and, indeed, of several other departments of science, affords useful assistance.

Mr. Herschel... brought with him the calculations of the computers, and we commenced the tedious process of verification. After a time many discrepancies occurred, and at one point these discordances were so numerous that I exclaimed, "I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam," to which Herschel replied, "It is quite possible."

If we look at the fact, we shall find that the great inventions of the age are not, with us at least, always produced in universities.

In mathematics we have long since drawn the rein, and given over a hopeless race.

I have no desire to write my own biography, as long as I have strength and means to do better work.