A Tribute to NATURE

Abstract

I AGREE with Snawley that ” She [Natur] is a holy thing”; some readers may think with Mr. Squeers ” She's a rum ‘un”, too, at times. Many therefore will have welcomed in your obituary notice of Sir Frederick Macmillan, in NATURE of June 6, the feeling reference to the great service the Macmillan firm has rendered to the cause of scientific progress, by the faith that it has shown in the journal and the freedom that has been accorded to critical contributors to its columns. The firm may even have taught their first editor a thing or two: I can recollect early tussles with him for freedom of expression, which were quite amusing. At one time, J.N.L. was definitely the editorial Hitler. Probably there is no journal with less editorial bias—certainly none which so nearly approaches to being completely scientific in its breadth and fullness of outlook.