CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 365 
of things, British naturalists should toil and labour 
in the higher branches of their science, only to re- 
ceive mortification, when, with so little trouble, they 
- can enrich themselves, and insure popular applause, 
by working up the materials of others. 
(251.) Before we proceed further, a recapitula- 
tions of the facts already stated,—in reference to the 
present state of nearly all the physical sciences, 
and particularly to that of zoology, — will not be 
misplaced. If, as we have shown, admittance can be 
gained by purchase into all our learned societies; if 
there are no national institutions, whose officers are 
selected from among the ranks of science; if there 
are no honorary distinctions, as in other countries, 
peculiarly appropriated to our philosophers and 
men of letters; if no pecuniary rewards, or retired 
pensions, are bestowed upon those who, above all 
other ranks, have mainly contributed to the true 
glory of the empire; if the physical sciences form 
no part of the system of education taught at our 
universities; if there are no professorships, or no 
means of instruction for aiding and encouraging the 
study of the material creation; if works on abstract 
science entail loss upon their authors; if, in short, 
these are things “ which be,” can it excite surprise 
for a moment, that the taste and the possession of 
true legitimate science has declined in Britain, 
while it has advanced on the Continent? Can it be 
wondered at, that those, whose love for abstract 
truth are leading them still to pursue it, despite of 
neglect, mortification, and discouragement, should 
remonstrate plainly and perhaps indignantly against 
such a state of things? Can it be said that eminence 
