THE SCIENTIST'S MIND
SIR,--may I somewhat tardily (since it has only just come to my notice) again refer to the above subject lately appearing in your correspondence columns? Mr. J. E. Smith in your issue of Sep- tember t3th aptly questions " Janus's " views on the " scientist's one- track mind." Cases of the latter may undoubtedly be found, but they are not, as we all should know, confined to the broad calling of the scientific profession. But that such a limitation should be attached by " Janus " to the late Master of Trinity amounts almost to an insult on his memory. Having known Sir Joseph Thomson for a considerable number of years (and my father before me as a fellow- undergraduate with him), I should like to emphasise the breadth of his mind and interests rather than any semblance of one-track mindedness. He could enter with zest and enlightenment into con- versation on a wide range of subjects, far outside his chosen lines in physics, and he always seemed well posted on the chief topics of the day. At Cambridge, apart from the affairs of Trinity alone, he often showed a surprising knowledge of current happenings, and it was no uncommon sight, down to very few seasons back, to see him enthusiastically following a match on the 'Varsity Rugby ground. I shall not forget, on one such occasion, his poignant remarks upon constructive " back play," to be followed at dinner that evening by an animated conversation upon mountaineering, in which he also showed the greatest interest and insight No, the great-minded and kindly master had no one-track mind, and indeed " Janus's " evidence of the latter would seem altogether puerile. After all, how many of us had heard of Dr. Benes, internationally minded though he may have been, prior to his Presidency of Czecho-Slovakia?—Yours,
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