4i8 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



spiritual forces for the advance of knowledge in its highest develop- 

 ment and power. It does not busy itself with the instruction of youth 

 but with protecting and stimulating men of learning. It is a sort of 

 judgment seat to which scientific attainments are brought and at which 

 their real value is appraised. ' ' 



Though hesitating so long over the establishment of an academy, 

 having permitted its organization, the government did not fail to favor 

 it in every possible way and to provide handsomely for its support. 

 Rooms were set aside for its sessions and its work, in the Polytechnic 

 Institute. Since 1857, it has had a home of its own in a building long 

 used as barracks for soldiers, but designed, according to tradition, by 

 the Empress Maria Theresa for the academy which she herself intended 

 to found. Here the general secretary resides, and as the building is 

 very large, several scientific societies have courteously been granted 

 shelter. The correspondence of the members of the academy within the 

 realm goes free. Save in the summer months, sessions are held every 

 week and, with the exception of a single meeting each month, the differ- 

 ent sections of the academy meet by themselves. The proceedings of 

 the meetings fill many volumes and form a collection of scientific, 

 historical, philosophical and archeological papers of almost inestimable 

 value. Twenty-four active members now reside in Vienna. Strangers 

 properly introduced are permitted to attend the sessions of the academy, 

 though none of these sessions are open to women. 



The means at the disposal of the academy, though they cannot be 

 given with absolute accuracy, are for an institution of the kind quite 

 large. They make it clear that its members have the confidence of the 

 public and that the work they are doing appeals to men of wealth and 

 lovers of learning. From the sale of an almanac which contains brief 

 reports of the proceedings of the academy the profits are not incon- 

 siderable. Extraordinary grants from the government and gifts from 

 rich men have from time to time been made for special purposes. That 

 infirm officers of the academy may receive pensions, since 1898 the 

 government has given 50,000 gulden annually, instead of the 40,000 

 previously received. To this sum are added 20,000 gulden for printing, 

 and 7,000 gulden to each class for pressing needs. Property left to the 

 academy for prizes, or to be used in any way which in the judgment of 

 its members will increase knowledge and promote its diffusion, now 

 produces a large income. Since 1890, Prince John of Lichtenstein has 

 given 5,000 gulden annually for excavations in Asia Minor, and since 

 1900 has doubled the amount. 



Experience has convinced the academy that the giving of prizes is 

 not the best way to use money. Only such are awarded as are made 

 necessary by the terms of a bequest. The offer of prizes, it is affirmed, 

 only stimulates a man who has work in hand to complete it, but rarely 



