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The experienced eye, the power of perceiving minute differences and
fine analogies which discriminate or unite the objects of science,
and the readiness of comparing new phenomena with others already
treasured up in the mind--these are accomplishments which no rules
can teach and no precepts put us in possession of. This is a portion
of knowledge which every man must acquire for himself; nobody can
leave as an inheritance to his successor. It seems, indeed, as if
nature had, in this instance, admitted an exception to the will by
which she has ordained the perpetual accumulation of knowledge among
civilized men, and had destined a considerable portion of science
continually to grow up and perish with individuals.
--Dr. John Brown, _Edward Forbes, Spare Hours_.
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