St Johnsbury Academy - Lamp Yearbook (St Johnsbury, VT)

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THE ACADEMY STUDENT 9 gallery. However, without the least political influence or support, the Fifth Estate, through its study and application of the facts and laws of Nature, has recast civilization. By the use of its trained intelligence it has given man control over stupendous forces. Man brought nothing to the world, and added little until the Fifth Estate taught him that wealth is produced, not by labor alone, but by labor under the guidance of intelligence. For most of us the first consideration is: what return may we hope for in the profession of our choice? In the material profits of the world, the Fifth Estate offers little. The reluctance of the world’s population to change or accept anything new and strange has resulted in hardship and neglect for the enterprising member of the Fifth Estate who exerts his efforts and spends his money to perfect a new invention or to spread the knowledge of a newly discovered fact to an ungrateful and skeptical world. Lavosier. whose experiments and conclusions leading to the explanation of combustion and the shattering of the obsolete phlogiston theory are scientific history today, was guillotined by a country that “had no need for chemists.” Priestley, who was one of the first to prepare oxygen and to explain how this gas could be obtained by heating mercuric oxide, was driven from his sacked and devastated home. These are only two cases of mistreatment such as in early days was rather the rule than the exception. Even today geniuses live in poverty and often starve, long before they are appreciated and recognized. However, there is a much brighter aspect of this situation. He who has done any scientific research, however slight, and as a result has added a new truth to his mental storehouse, has experienced a thrill of pleasure and power. This is the real reward for members of the Fifth Estate, a reward more precious than any material gain. The real wealth of a member of the Fifth Estate, whose priceless value only he can fully appreciate, is in the Kingdom of the Mind. The Fifth Estate is an important agent in our life today, and is a factor to be reckoned with. Never before have such

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8 THE ACADEMY STUDENT SALUTATORY ESSAY THE FIFTH ESTATE In behalf of the class of 1935, I am glad to welcome you to these graduation exercises. We are about to enter our life’s work, each in his own chosen field. There are many avenues of service open for our consideration; hut since we are living in a scientific age. there is none more timely or important than that of scientific research. In the scientific world there are two recognized divisions: — practical, or applied science and theoretical science or research. It is this second branch of scientific work, which has been called the Fifth Estate. The English Parliament consists of the lords spiritual, the lords temporal, and the Commons, which have long been known as the First, Second, and Third Estates. The hourth Estate is the press, which has gained this distinction because of its far-reaching power and influence. Concerning constructive scientists, Mr. Arthur D. Little has written as follows: “Members of the Fifth Estate are those men having the simplicity to wonder, the ability to question, the power to generalize, and the capacity to apply.” These are the ones who advance and improve the scientific discoveries of the past by their research and analysis. One who merely uses for material profit the product of another’s genius is not a recognized member of this select group, who gain their respected position through their own ingenuity and effort. Only those who have some contribution to make to the general well-being of the world are acceptable as members. Consequently the membership of the Fifth Estate is numerically very low. In the whole world, it is reasonable to estimate, not more than 100,000 persons have been responsible for the progress of science. The total membership of the Fifth Estate could be housed in a third rate city. No politician seeks support from its scattered and ineffective vote. Its members rarely sit in Congress; when they do they sit in the

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10 THE ACADEMY STUDENT revolutionary investigations been conducted in science. Who has previously even considered such a thing as “heavy hydrogen” and heavy water,” which are to cause a great advancement in chemical knowledge in the near future? What miracle such as the Boulder Dam has ever before been attempted? New ideas are necessary to carry out the aims of the Fifth Estate and continue the progress already started. In this graduating class there may be a budding scientist who will startle the world with some undreamed-of invention. Perhaps one of us may be the first to pilot a rocket ship to Mars, or to discover what is really at the center of the earth. The Fifth Estate may not offer wealth; perhaps not even fame. It does promise to its members romance, service, freedom of initiative, and the priceless thrill of the explorer. —Nelson McRae CLASS HISTORY Excerpt from an Obituary Column of St. Johnsbury Caledonian-Record The many friends and relatives of the class of 1935 will be saddened to hear of its tragic but otherwise timely death. In the fall of 1931 the class of '35 made his humble entrance into the world at St. J. A. But this class was destined for no ordinary experiences; for even in his early life he became so active and spirited in his conduct that “Holly,” his guardian, had to take a leave of absence in October. Then came Mr. Brown, who stood up a little better under the strain of 1935’s strenuous activity. ’35 will always remember Mr. Brown for his kind and helpful advice and his truly fatherly interest in the class. The second year was full of many changes. Mr. Brown had watched patiently and anxiously the rapid growth and de-