392 Linnean Society. [May 24, 



University than I am, assures me that, after rewarding with Fellow- 

 ship's all those persons who had distinguished themselves as scholars 

 and mathematicians, and who are in circumstances to require any 

 such assistance, there would remain ample means for the encourage- 

 ment of all the other studies which the University by its recent 

 regulations has acknowledged as important. This change (I quote 

 from the same authority) it might be difficult in all cases for the 

 Colleges themselves to effect without infringing upon their statutes ; 

 but as a Commission is now sitting, composed of persons exempt 

 from those oaths which shackle the existing members of the different 

 Colleges, and constituted expressly for the purpose of bringing about 

 those useful changes which the latter feel themselves prohibited 

 from undertaking, it is earnestly to be hoped that the appropriation 

 of a portion of the revenues of the Colleges for the more direct en- 

 couragement of Physical Science and Natural History may be, as it 

 assuredly ought to be, one of the first measures that will engage 

 their attention. There is, I am confident, an increasing interest and 

 desire in the minds of the educated portion of the community to 

 cultivate an acquaintance with these branches of knowledge. It is 

 for the authorities at Oxford and at every other great seat of learning 

 to take care that this interest should not be discouraged, that this 

 desire should not be repressed. The prospect is at present bright, 

 — let us hope it will not again be clouded. I should be unjust 

 were I not here to express my sincere appreciation of the continued 

 and successful exertions of our esteemed Fellow, Dr. Daubeny, in 

 promoting the changes to which I have alluded. Not only have 

 those exertions been unremitting and judicious, but they have been 

 followed up by a step which manifests the earnestness and single- 

 ness of purpose by which he has been actuated, in resigning one 

 of the professorships which he held, that of Chemistry, in order that 

 he may devote his time and talents the more exclusively to the pro- 

 motion of his own particular branch of natural science. 



That the interests of Natural History will as far as is possible be 

 promoted by the Professors themselves at both the Universities, we 

 may be well assured from the character of those who now hold the 

 Chairs in connexion with these branches of science ; and whatever 

 may be the eventual state of Cambridge as regards these objects, the 

 well-known zeal, intelligence and attainments of the Professors are 

 a sufficient guarantee that if there be a deficiency in the teaching, it 

 will not be from any failure in the teachers. We have, however, the 

 satisfaction of knowing that a movement has taken place there also. 



