594 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



tion was rejected by a large majority, and another motion, 

 namely, " that a full public inquiry take place into the serious 

 charges of maladministration in the University," was ruled out 

 of order by the Chairman. The Athenceum has expressed 

 itself very clearly to the effect (and we agree with it) that the 

 action of the University Court cannot be looked upon as being 

 satisfactory or final. Moreover, only one of the doubtful 

 points in the action of the University was referred to at the 

 meeting. It will be remembered that the allegations are 

 (i) that one of the professors was dismissed under circum- 

 stances which suggest incorrect procedure or unfair treatment, 

 or both ; and (2) that the Council bestowed honorary degrees, 

 not previously recommended by the Senate, largely upon its 

 own members. It is unfortunate for the interests of univer- 

 sity life in general that no proper inquiry upon these 

 allegations can be obtained. 



Science and the Lay Press (Gordon D. Knox, Morning Post). 



"Nations," in the words of the last number of Science 

 Progress, " no more than individuals can be allowed to remain 

 ignorant, sluggish, and unscientific." If the statement is to be 

 something more than a pious opinion, means will have to be 

 devised for the education of the public in the results and in the 

 methods of science. The complete victory of the Huxley School 

 of Thought over the older School of Theology has had the 

 unfortunate effect that the missionaries of science have found 

 themselves without an objective. Lacking the stimulus of 

 opposition they have left the market-place for the laboratory, 

 and, science being kept only spasmodically before the public 

 eyes by such sectional disputes as centre in the question of 

 vivisection, the public is ignorant of its aims and indifferent as 

 to its condition. The inadequacy of the payment of scientific 

 men, the lack of funds for research, and the apathetic attitude of 

 the Government to the needs of science are the reflection of the 

 public indifference ; and if this attitude of mind is to be changed 

 it will have to be done largely through the public press. 



The misunderstanding between the press and men of science 

 is so complete that it may be well to put forward a few of the 

 principles that must inevitably govern any attempt that is made 

 through the cojumns of the press to enlist the public interest and 



