438 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



that object. " This object " proceeds the report, " is certainly not less 

 important in modern than [it was] in ancient society. In the middle 

 ages, knowledge would altogether have perished if it had not been for 

 such foundations, and it appears that now, from other causes, the pur- 

 suit of knowledge and of general scientific investigation is subject to 

 very real dangers, though of another kind than those which then pre- 

 vailed, and which make it very desirable to preserve any institution 

 through whicli scientific discovery and the investigation of truth may 

 be promoted." 



Granting, however, first the desirability of endowment for science 

 on abstract principles, and secondly that the necessary funds either 

 already exist, or can be easily raised, we find ourselves in presence of 

 the practical difticulties involved in the distribution of such funds. 

 Decision must be made : first, as to the scientific subjects which shall 

 be selected for endowment ; secondly, as to the persons under whose 

 supervision the funds for this purpose should be distributed; and 

 thirdly, as to the persons to whom these funds should be dispensed. 



On the first poict, it is to be noticed that, since, for a long time, the 

 administration of endowment would chiefly rest with non-scientific 

 persons, the question of the practical value of difierent scientific sub- 

 jects would at first be of primary importance. It is not to be exj^ected 

 that the value which scientific researches possess, apart from all ma- 

 terial benefits they may bring with them, should be genei-ally recog- 

 nized. A principle of selection would have to be adopted at first which 

 men of science would regard as essentially unsound. Nevertheless, 

 little direct mischief would follow from this circumstance, though 

 many advantages would for a time be lost. The limitation would ex- 

 clude subjects worthy of the highest consideration : but these are 

 already excluded; and many subjects now receiving no public support 

 would be admitted. I apprehend that the most unfortunate result of 

 this state of things would flow from the fact that persons desirous of 

 securing money grants for a scientific subject of the non-productive 

 sort might be tempted, rather than allow the nation to neglect it, to 

 imagine material advantages from its cultivation. I am not aware 

 that many instances exist whereby to illustrate this point, or indeed 

 that as yet any appeal has been made for special endowment save in a 

 single instance. But this instance chances to illustrate my meaning 

 exceedingly well. 



It will probably be admitted that the practically useful applica- 

 tions of astronomy are at least as well provided for by the nation as 

 those of any other branch of science, not excluding chemistry or j^ure 

 physics. Occasionally, also, government has provided, not without 

 generosity, for astronomical researches little likely to lead to results 

 of practical utility. Recent eclipse expeditions, and still more the ex- 

 peditions for observing the late transit, are instances in point, seeing 

 that it is almost impossible to conceive that mankind can derive any 



