274 Scientific Reviews. 



ters ; and that he did not commit himself in such an unadvised action on his own 

 responsibility as a private member, we think we know too much of ]Mr, Neill for 

 one moment to conceive. Indeed we consider it but justice to that gentleman 

 and to ourselves to state, that though from his office he has the misfortune to 

 have his name mixed up with these transactions, not a thought of blame can at- 

 tach to him, except for want of firmness to resist the " foul devices" which 

 are sometimes " whispered in his ear." "We trust we shall not offend that re- 

 tiring delicacy which so eminently distinguishes him, if we join the voice of all who 

 know him, in the profession of unlimited esteem for his character and talents. 

 " There are several societies," says Mr. Babbage, " in which the secretaries and 

 other officers have very laborious duties, and where they are unaided by a train 

 of clerks, and yet no pecuniary remuneration is given to them. Science is much 

 indebted to such men, by whose quiet and unostentatious labours the routine of 

 its institutions is carried on." — {Decline of Science in England. Preface, p. 

 xii.) And such a man is Mr. Neill. 



If, then, Mr. Neill did not subscribe his name to these statements from the 

 dictates of his own will, he must have been induced or obliged to do it by some 

 other person ; and this seems the more probable that the usual form in such cir- 

 culars is in this case neglected. The customary mode of signing similar official 

 papers is " By order of the President, Pat. Neill, Sec." But this authority hag 

 been cunningly removed from the signature, and " Pat. Neill" stands in iso- 

 lated singularity at the bottom of the page. 



It is not clear, then, from what source this circular has emanated. The Coun- 

 cil, however, ought to inquire into it ; for the attempt to influence the minds of 

 members and others during an investigation which might come to assume con- 

 siderable importance,* is as wicked as to tamper with a jury in the discharge of 

 a duty where conscience is the arbiter. 



But we have stated that it is equally incomprehensible to whom the " correct 

 statement" is addressed. That it cannot be intended for the attending members 

 of the Society is palpable, for they knew well enough what they were about ; and 

 we have been unable to learn that it has been received by any of the absentees. 

 We presume, then, that it has sprung from the suggestion, that Ira hominum 

 transibunt, sed scripta nostra maneant ; and upon the same principle we now 

 answer it by the above analytical investigation into its truth or falsity. ' 



Several of our friends who have seen the circular, though they were fuUy aware 

 of its true bearing, have suggested the propriety of our taking no notice of it, as 

 they were afraid that our interference, under the present circumstances, might 

 have an injurious effect on the labours of the committee ; and that besides betray- 

 ing an apparent hostility to the interests of the Society, we should, by exposing 

 the misdeeds of any of its members, excite a degree of odium against an insti- 

 tution to which Scotland had looked up with pride, and of which she still formed 

 the highest expectations. But we know the value of publicity in defining the li- 

 mits of good and evil ; and we could only reply to our advisers, in the sentiments 

 of Babbage, that the party which governs it, is not the Wernerian Society ; and 

 that the justness of their remarks could only have applied, if the whole body, on 

 becoming acquainted with the system we have exposed, had, by ratifying it by 

 their approbation, appropriated it to themselves : an event which has not, how- 

 ever, occurred. (Introd. p. xiv.) 



• The custom in Societies is, if the librarian is unable to show any receipt 

 from a member, or otherwise to account for works missing from the library, 

 that he be responsible for their value ; but no responsibility can rest on Mr Wil- 

 son, as the books were never delivered over to him. The Wernerian Society 

 will therefore have to look to those who had immediate custody of the books, 

 for the supply of any deficiences which cannot be accounted for. We trust 

 there will be no serious losses discovered on comparing the articles in the libra- 

 ry and museum with the list of donations and purchases in the Secretary's mi- 

 nutes. 



