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because he apprehended that； if known； it might compromise his
professional position。 For it is by no means an uncommon
prejudice； still prevalent amongst City men； that a person who has
written a book； and still more one who has written a poem； is good
for nothing in the way of business。 Yet Sharon Turner； though an
excellent historian； was no worse a solicitor on that account；
while the brothers Horace and James Smith； authors of 'The
Rejected Addresses；' were men of such eminence in their
profession； that they were selected to fill the important and
lucrative post of solicitors to the Admiralty； and they
filled it admirably。
It was while the late Mr。 Broderip； the barrister； was acting as a
London police magistrate； that he was attracted to the study of
natural history； in which he occupied the greater part of his
leisure。 He wrote the principal articles on the subject for the
'Penny Cyclopaedia；' besides several separate works of great
merit； more particularly the 'Zoological Recreations；' and 'Leaves
from the Notebook of a Naturalist。' It is recorded of him that；
though he devoted so much of his time to the production of his
works； as well as to the Zoological Society and their admirable
establishment in Regent's Park； of which he was one of the
founders； his studies never interfered with the real business of
his life； nor is it known that a single question was ever raised
upon his conduct or his decisions。 And while Mr。 Broderip devoted
himself to natural history； the late Lord Chief Baron Pollock
devoted his leisure to natural science； recreating himself in the
practice of photography and the study of mathematics； in both of
which he was thoroughly proficient。
Among literary bankers we find the names of Rogers； the poet；
Roscoe； of Liverpool； the biographer of Lorenzo de Medici；
Ricardo； the author of 'Political Economy and Taxation； （20）
Grote； the author of the 'History of Greece；' Sir John Lubbock；
the scientific antiquarian； （21） and Samuel Bailey； of Sheffield；
the author of 'Essays on the Formation and Publication of
Opinions；' besides various important works on ethics； political
economy； and philosophy。
Nor； on the other hand； have thoroughly…trained men of science and
learning proved themselves inefficient as first…rate men of
business。 Culture of the best sort trains the habit of
application and industry； disciplines the mind； supplies it with
resources； and gives it freedom and vigour of actionall of
which are equally requisite in the successful conduct of business。
Thus； in young men； education and scholarship usually indicate
steadiness of character； for they imply continuous attention；
diligence； and the ability and energy necessary to master
knowledge； and such persons will also usually be found
possessed of more than average promptitude； address；
resource； and dexterity。
Montaigne has said of true philosophers； that 〃if they were great
in science； they were yet much greater in action；。。。 and whenever
they have been put upon the proof； they have been seen to fly to
so high a pitch； as made it very well appear their souls were
strangely elevated and enriched with the knowledge of things。〃 （22）
At the same time； it must be acknowledged that too exclusive a
devotion to imaginative and philosophical literature； especially
if prolonged in life until the habits become formed； does to a
great extent incapacitate a man for the business of practical
life。 Speculative ability is one thing； and practical ability
another； and the man who； in his study； or with his pen in hand；
shows himself capable of forming large views of life and policy；
may； in the outer world； be found altogether unfitted for carrying
them into practical effect。
Speculative ability depends on vigorous thinkingpractical
ability on vigorous acting； and the two qualities are usually
found combined in very unequal proportions。 The speculative man
is prone to indecision： he sees all the sides of a question； and
his action becomes suspended in nicely weighing the pros and cons；
which are often found pretty nearly to balance each other； whereas
the practical man overleaps logical preliminaries； arrives at
certain definite convictions； and proceeds forthwith to carry his
policy into action。 （23）
Yet there have been many great men of science who have proved
efficient men of business。 We do not learn that Sir Isaac Newton
made a worse Master of the Mint because he was the greatest of
philosophers。 Nor were there any complaints as to the efficiency
of Sir John Herschel； who held the same office。 The brothers
Humboldt were alike capable men in all that they undertook
whether it was literature； philosophy； mining； philology；
diplomacy； or statesmanship。
Niebuhr； the historian； was distinguished for his energy and
success as a man of business。 He proved so efficient as secretary
and accountant to the African consulate； to which he had been
appointed by the Danish Government； that he was afterwards
selected as one of the commissioners to manage the national
finances； and he quitted that office to undertake the joint
directorship of a bank at Berlin。 It was in the midst of his
business occupations that he found time to study Roman history； to
master the Arabic； Russian； and other Sclavonic languages； and to
build up the great reputation as an author by which he is now
chiefly remembered。
Having regard to the views professed by the First Napoleon as to
men of science； it was to have been expected that he would
endeavour to strengthen his administration by calling them to his
aid。 Some of his appointments proved failures； while others were
completely successful。 Thus Laplace was made Minister of the
Interior； but he had no sooner been appointed than it was seen
that a mistake had been made。 Napoleon afterwards said of him；
that 〃Laplace looked at no question in its true point of view。 He
was always searching after subtleties； all his ideas were
problems； and he carried the spirit of the infinitesimal calculus
into the management of business。〃 But Laplace's habits had been
formed in the study； and he was too old to adapt them to the
purposes of practical life。
With Darn it was different。 But Darn had the advantage of some
practical training in business； having served as an intendant of
the army in Switzerland under Massena； during which he also
distinguished himself as an author。 When Napoleon proposed to
appoint him a councillor of state and intendant of the Imperial
Household； Darn hesitated to accept the office。 〃I have passed
the greater part of my life；〃 he said； 〃among books； and have not
had time to learn the functions of a courtier。〃 〃Of courtiers；〃
replied Napoleon； 〃I have plenty about me； they will never fail。
But I want a minister； at once enlightened； firm； and vigilant；
and it is for these qualities that I have selected you。〃 Darn
complied with the Emperor