286 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



given the additional opportunity for social intercourse between different 

 persons interested in the same subject. 



It is possible, however, that learned societies are now beginning to hear 

 the footsteps of the fate which overtook the monasteries. An immense 

 specialised Press has recently grown up, in which papers cannot only be 

 published more easily and quickly than by reading at societies, but may also 

 be studied more carefully and quickly than by attendance at meetings — 

 while the same Press gives ample opportunities for written discussions which 

 are usually much better, because more precise, than oral discussions by per- 

 sons who are often little practised at public speaking. And it is a common 

 complaint that both readings and discussions at societies are prolix, or dull, 

 or — sometimes — too heated ; and the attendance is often or generally very 

 small. The same is frequently said of the meetings regarded merely as social 

 gatherings. 



Quite recently, however, the societies have received a new impetus from 

 the fact that, being looked upon as the ultimate authorities on their special 

 branches of knowledge, they are often consulted by Governments and other 

 bodies . It is precisely this fact which has led to the present discussion . Have 

 they indeed the right to be considered as the ultimate authorities on their 

 subjects ? If not, the administration of the country may suffer seriously 

 from the error, especially during war. 



Here we observe that by no means all the leading men of science or learn- 

 ing necessarily belong to societies at all — witness Darwin, Carlyle, or Tenny- 

 son ; while others who do belong to them cannot find time or inclination to 

 take much interest in their proceedings. In fact, it is quite arguable that, 

 with occasional exceptions, the best men tend to ignore them considerably — 

 which narrows their authority. Then, again, when we talk of the opinion of 

 a society, we seldom mean that of the whole body of members, but almost 

 always that of the ofl&cers and council for the time being, and perhaps a few 

 members whom these have nominated to assist — ^which narrows the authority 

 of the society still further. Lastly, the methods of election of of&cers, coun- 

 cillors, and even of members, are by no means always beyond criticism. 



Apparently, in most societies, all such elections are made upon the re- 

 commendation of the council. This almost invariably means that the 

 recommendation of the council is accepted at the elections — because, the 

 members of the society being drawn from all parts of the country, they seldom 

 have an opportunity to consider the council's nominations beforehand with 

 such care as will enable them to collect a sufficient majority at the election to 

 upset a given nomination if it be a bad one. Practically, therefore, the 

 council possesses an almost autocratic power ; and, as it nominates new 

 members of itself, its power continues in its hands indefinitely, the large body 

 of members remaining mere passive subscribers with little or no influence 

 within it. Still further, the council generally consists of members from 

 different parts of the country, who remain under a similar disability as com- 

 pared with the officers ; so that the power is still further limited, practically, 

 to the of&cers. Now this method has often worked quite satisfactorily, and 

 may do so still ; but it is obviously open to grave abuses. Certain individuals, 

 who have little else to do, who live on the spot, and who are often men without 

 much distinction in the subject dealt with by the society, may gradually 

 acquire power which they do not deserve and have no capacity to use. Re- 

 cently, moreover, there is a tendency for State honours to be given very largely 

 to officers of learned societies — so that, ultimately, it comes to this, that 

 schemers may sometimes (let us hope, seldom) obtain rewards which they 

 scarcely deserve, but which are really meant by the nation, not for successful 

 wire-pulling, but for distinguished work. 



Many feel that learned societies which are countenanced, subsidised, or 

 consulted by Governments should be reorganised upon a more democratic 



