390 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. a 
the most dangerous in Europe, are still, as it is 
asserted, illuminated by the “ old unscientific me- 
thods.” If any misapplication of patronage calls for 
an immediate reform, it is surely in these establish- 
ments, wherein is largely involved the risk of human 
life, and the loss of large property. Mr. Babbage 
adduces another instance, bearing strongly upon 
this exclusion of scientific men from the national 
councils, which is even more to the purpose. “ To 
those who measure the question of the national 
encouragement of science by its value in pounds, 
shillings, and pence, I will here state,” observes 
Mr. Babbage, “ the following fact:—A short. time 
since it was discovered by government that the 
terms on which annuities had been granted by them 
were erroneous, and new tables were introduced by 
act of parliament. It was stated at the time that 
the erroneous tables had caused a loss to the country 
of between 2,000,000/. and 3,000,000. sterling. The 
fact of the sale of those annuities being a losing 
concern, was long known to many, and.the govern- 
ment appear to have been the last to be informed 
on the subject.” Now it is perfectly clear, that if 
the government had condescended to consult our 
mathematicians, before they legislated on matters 
they were confessedly ignorant upon, this encrmous 
loss to the public purse would not have happened, 
Had one half of this sum been judiciously applied to 
the protection and encouragement of science, institu- 
tions might have been endowed, professorships estab- 
lished, and pensions provided for our philosophers, 
which would have placed the scientific establishments 
of the nation on an equality with those of all others. 
Say 
