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paragons of mediocrity； there are many and illustrious
exceptions； a fair proportion of whom would be illustrious even
without the official sanction； and in this connection it is in
place to recall that business principles have not hitherto held
undivided and sovereign dominion in this province； and that there
is even reason to believe that they are not yet coming fully into
their own。
These putative leaders of science referred to are； in the
common run of cases； not men with whom the science will have to
count； but by virtue of their eligibility as academic spokesmen
of the science； they are men with whom their contemporaries in
the science will have to count。 As is shown by the experience of
the past； they are likely to be well forgotten by the generation
that follows them； but they are； perforce； equally well
remembered by their contemporaries。 It is not the long…term
serviceability of these official scientists that counts toward
their availability for academic leadership； but their popular
prestige。 They may not be such leaders as the science needs； but
they are such exponents of opinion as are believed to commend
themselves to the tastes of the well…to…do laity。 A citation of
instances would seem invidious； nor； presumably； is it called
for。 The anecdotal history of contemporary events is particularly
full at this juncture； while to outsiders who are not in a
position to appreciate either the urgency or the subtlety of the
motives of academic expediency in this bearing； a recital of
illustrative instances might seem either libellous or farcical。
The exigencies of competitive academic enterprise； especially in
its relation to the maintenance and increase of endowment； place
the executive in a very delicate position in this matter and
leave little room for squeamish deliberation。
At the risk of tedium； it is necessary to push the analysis
of businesslike motives and their bearing a step farther at this
point。 It is not simply the vulgar； commonplace convictions of
the populace that must receive consideration in this field of the
moral and social sciences； including such matters as religion；
sociology； economics； and political science； so…called。 What is
especially to be conciliated by the official scientists is the
current range of convictions on all these heads among those
well…to…do classes from whom the institution hopes to draw
contributions to its endowment； on the one hand； and the more
reputable part of its undergraduate client鑜e； on the other hand。
Which comes； broadly； to saying that a jealous eye must be had to
the views and prepossessions prevalent among the respectable；
conservative middle class； with a particular regard to that more
select body of substantial citizens who have the disposal of
accumulated wealth。 This select and substantial element are on
the whole more conservative； more old…fashioned in their views of
what is right； good and true； and hold their views on more
archaic grounds of conviction； than the generality of the vulgar。
And within this conservative body； again； it is the elderly
representatives of the old order that are chiefly to be
considered； since it is the honourable custom among men of
large means not to give largely to institutions of learning until
late in life。
It is to be accounted one of the meritorious customs of the
greater businessmen that； one with another； they eventually
convert a share of their takings to the installation of schools
and similar establishments designed to serve and to conserve the
amenities of civilized life。 Usually it is in later life； or as
an act of leave…taking； that this munificence is exercised。
Usually； too； the great men who put forth this large munificence
do not hamper their bounty with many restrictions on the
character of the enlightenment which it is to serve。 Indeed；
there is in this respect a certain large modesty and continence
customarily associated with the large donations。 But like other
men of force and thoughtfulness； the large and elderly
businessmen have well…assured convictions and preferences； and as
is the case with other men of the passing generation； so with the
superannuated businessmen； their convictions and preferences fall
out on the side of the old order rather than contrariwise。 A wise
academic policy； conducted by an executive looking to the fiscal
interests of the university； will aim not to alienate the
affections of the large businessmen of a ripe age； by harbouring
specialists whose inquires are likely to traverse these
old…settled convictions in the social； economic； political； or
religious domain。 It is bad business policy to create unnecessary
annoyance。 So it comes about that the habitual munificence of the
captains of industry who have reached their term will have grave
consequences for that range of academic science that is occupied
with matters on which they hold convictions。（3*）
There results a genial endeavour to keep step with the
moribund captains of industry and the relics of the wealthy dead。
Remotely by force of a worldly…wise appointing power； proximately
by force of the good taste and sober sense of well…chosen
incumbents； something of filial piety comes to pervade the
academic handling of those institutional phenomena that touch the
sentiments of the passing generation。 Hence it comes that current
academic work in the province of the social； political； and
economic sciences； as well as in the sciences that touch the
religious interest； has a larger reputation for assurance and
dignity than for an incisive canvassing of the available
material。
Critics of the latterday university policies have from time
to time called attention to an apparent reluctance on the part of
these academic scientists to encounter present…day facts
hand…to…hand； or to trace out the causes to which current
conditions are due。 Distempered critics have even alleged that
the academic leaders in the social sciences are held under some
constraint； as being； in some sort； in the pay of the well…to…do
conservative element； that they are thereby incapacitated from
following up any inquiry to its logical conclusion； in case the
conclusion might appear to traverse the interest or the opinions
of those on whom these leaders are in this way pecuniarily
dependent。
Now； it may be conceded without violence to notorious facts；
that these official leaders of science do commonly reach
conclusions innocuous to the existing law and order； particularly
with respect to religion； ownersh