An Eminent Visiting Scientist

Lord Kelvin, better known as Sir William Thomson, for he was sixty-eight years old and had many years of scientific eminence behind him when he was raised to the English peerage in 1892, arrived in New York recently, on his way to the meeting of the British Association in Toronto. He was met, of course, by a number of reporters, and said the usual polite things in the resulting interviews. More interesting than these is the opinion of the great English scientist expressed by Nikola Tesla, as reported by James Creelman for the New York Journal. Said Mr. Tesla:

"One of the reasons why I do not like to speak of Lord Kelvin is that I cannot find words to express my admiration for the genius of this remarkable man, and my gratitude for what he has done for humanity at large, and for those who, like myself, are following some of the paths he has opened. He occupies a unique position in the scientific world, not only by reason of his achievements, but also by the fact that he has been active and productive during a period seldom allotted to workers in scientific fields. Usually the efforts of the mind prematurely consume the man. But in a few cases, occurring now and then in a century, an exceptionally gifted and vigorous personality appears and leaves an impression which lasts for ages. Lord Kelvin is such a man. But not only is this true of him, but he has also, what few great scientific men have had, a lovable nature, which years have only broadened and intensified.

"His mathematical essays on electricity, magnetism, and heat almost stand alone, veritable monuments. The practical public can better appreciate a part of what he has done when I say that for the past fifty years we have been depending on instruments invented by him for the measurement of a great many quantities, and it is impossible to estimate the benefits to science which have come from his instruments, which even now are used in every scientific laboratory in the world. He has given us the perfected mariner's compass, and just imagine what this has done for navigation and commerce; and in ocean telegraphy he has given us the delicate instruments which are now used for recording messages under all the seas.

"If he were a young man, we might express admiration for his achievement, but his age has almost given sanctity to the eminence of his position."

This is Lord Kelvin's second visit to America, as he was here in 1884, at the Montreal meeting of the British Association. He read a paper at the recent Toronto meeting.