Dr. Bose's discovery of Universal sensitiveness of matter was
communicated to the Royal Society on May 7th, 1901, when he himself gave
a successful experimental demonstration. His communication was, however,
strongly assailed by Sir John Burden-Sanderson, the leading
physiologist, and one or two of his followers. They had nothing to urge
against his experiments but objected to a physicist straying into the
preserve that had been specially reserved for the physiologist. He had
unwittingly strayed into the domain of a new and unfamiliar caste system
and offended its etiquette. In consequence of this opposition his paper,
which was already in print, was not published. This is not by any means
to be regarded as an injustice done to a stranger. Even Lord Rayleigh,
who occupies an unique position in the world of science, was subjected
to fierce attacks from the chemists, because he, a physicist, had
ventured to predict that the air would be found to contain new elements
not hitherto discovered.
It is natural that there should be prejudice against all innovations,
and the attitude of Sir John Burden-Sanderson is easily explained.
Unfortunately there was another incident about which similar explanation
could not be urged. Dr. Bose's Paper had been placed in the archives of
the Royal Society, so that technically there was no publication. And it
came about that eight months after the reading of his Paper, another
communication found publication in the Journal of a different society
which was practically the same as Dr. Bose's but without any
acknowledgment. The author of this communication was a gentleman who had
previously opposed him at the Royal Society. The plagiarism was
subsequently discovered and led to much unpleasantness. It is not
necessary to refer any more to the subject except as explanation of the
fact that the determined hostility and misrepresentations of one man
succeeded for more than ten years to bar all avenues of publication for
his discoveries. But every cloud has its silver lining; this incident
secured for him many true friends in England who stood for fair play,
and whose friendship has proved to be a source of great encouragement to
him.