CONTINENTAL PATRONAGE. 353 
to perform his magnetic tour in Siberia. This 
generous confidence in their countryman has been 
well repaid by a series of the most valuable ob- 
servations ; and we are sure that every philosopher 
in Europe is deeply grateful to the patriotic Nor- 
wegians for an act of devotion to science, which 
would do honour to the most powerful nation.* 
(243.) Enough, we think, has now been stated, 
to supply an answer to the question with which 
we set out; namely,—Is science more neglected 
by the government of this country than on the 
Continent ?—for we have seen that, with the ex- 
ception of Britain, Turkey, and perhaps of Spain, 
“ scientific acquirements conduct their possessors 
to wealth, to honours, to official dignity, and to 
the favour and friendship of the sovereign.” 
(244.) We now come to the second question 
proposed ;— Does abstract science, and more par- 
ticularly natural history, stand in need of any 
peculiar or national encouragement? We might 
dismiss this with a very simple ,reply in the affirm- 
ative, by merely asking, whether the pursuit of 
philosophy will give to its followers the means of 
living, and will enable them to provide that suitable 
income for themselves and families, which moderate 
abilities in other professions will almost always 
insure? If science will accomplish this, it requires 
no protection or support ; but if, as is notorious, it is 
the most precarious and the most thankless of all 
pursuits, encouragement and protection of some 
sort is absolutely necessary for all those who possess 

* Quarterly Rev. p. 319. 
AA 
