llowed with great attention the experiments
with which he illustrated his discourse. He was greeted with applause by
the eminent scientists who thronged the lecture-theatre, at the end of
every experiment. Sir Francis Darwin, the eminent botanist, in proposing
a vote of thanks to Dr. Bose, said that 'he was filled with admiration,
not only for the brilliancy of the work but for the convincing character
of the experiments.' The scientists next assembled in great force, on
the 29th May 1914, to hear the 'Friday Evening Discourse' of Dr. J. C.
Bose on 'Plant Autographs and their Revelations,' at the Royal
Institution, which was highly appreciated. At the end of the Discourse,
Sir James Dewar, President of the Institution, gave an 'At Home' in
honour of Dr. and Mrs. Bose.[34]

THE MAIDA VALE LABORATORY

The demonstrations of a far-reaching character which Dr. Bose gave
evoked considerable public interest in England. His private laboratory
at Maida Vale, in London, became the object of pilgrimage to the leading
men of thought there. Sir William Crookes, the President of the Royal
Society, came and became 'much impressed by the most ingenious and novel
self-recording instruments.' Professor Starling, the author of the
standard work on Physiology, and Professor Oliver, the well-known
Plant-Physiologist, also became impressed by the delicacy and importance
of Dr. Bose's work and methods. Professor Carveth Read, author of
"Metaphysics of Nature," wondered how far the researches would
profoundly affect the philosophical thoughts. Mr. Balfour, the
ex-premier, became enthralled with what he saw. Professor James A. H.
Murray, Editor of the 'Oxford New English Dictionary,' and Bernard Shaw,
the famous dramatist, felt themselves attracted to the great Indian
Scientist and came to pay their homage to him. Even Lord Crewe, the then
Secretary of State for India, paid a visit to his laboratory and spoke
warmly of the pride which he and the Government of India felt for his
discoveries and of high gratification to him that India should once more
make such contributions for the intellectual advancement of the world.
The leading newspapers wrote eulogistically of his researches. The
well-known scientific journal _Nature_ devoted ten columns to an
illustrated synopsis of his discoveries. Lord Hardinge, the then
Viceroy, wrote a congratulatory letter to him--"It has been a source of
immense gratification to the Viceroy to know that the forem