Editor's Note: Excerpt from an unpublished manuscript in the
Lapham papers at the Wisconsin State Historical Society. On
January 23, 1840 (at age 29) Lapham gave a lecture in the
Milwaukee Lyceum series; we present the portion in which he
explained his philosophy on the use of the study of natural
science. His advice is still good, 118 years later. There are
persons, and possibly there may be some here, who are disposed
to ask--what is the use of this study? What possible benefit can
it be to any person to become acquainted with the animals,
plants, and minerals, by which he is surrounded? To such I would
say that if we regard it in the narrow light of money making--if
we regard nothing as beneficial unless it redounds to our
immediate pecuniary advantage--then these pursuits might about
as well be let alone. But when we reflect that many of the
states, and the General Government, are now making Geological
surveys, embracing an examination of the animals and plants; and
that as their importance become known a