"TRUE CAUSE OF MINISTERIAL NEGLECT. 423 
for thus acting in opposition to the plainest dictates 
of reason and of justice, to the feelings of all other 
civilised governments, and to those even of the in- 
telligent classes of this country? It is not because 
the value of science is unknown to our rulers; for 
they have, as it seems, so enlarged a conception of 
its worth, that they imagine it can provide for itself. 
It is not because the nation at large disregards it, 
because in no other country are there so many 
public associations for its culture. No. It is because 
science enters not into the strife of politics, she 
“ brings up no reserve to the minister, to swell his 
triumph or to break his fall ;” she remains passive 
in the warfare of elections, she possesses no courtly 
influence, and flatters no courtier ; she neither comes 
recommended by wealth, by power, by titles, or by 
interest. She has, in short, nothing to give; and 
therefore it is, that she has nothing to receive. All 
other reasons for her neglect merge into this ; and it 
may be fairly questioned, whether her votaries, “ now 
depressed to the level of hewers of wood and drawers 
of water,” will ever recover their caste, until those 
who direct public affairs will abandon the line of 
argument we have here attempted to refute. These 
arguments have been investigated more closely, 
perhaps, than may appear necessary; but as emanat- 
ing from a late cabinet minister, they deserved every 
attention, since they clearly show, in language not 
to be mistaken, the sentiments which pervade that 
particular school of politics which has hitherto been 
paramount in the national councils. 
(291.) And yet, so far from desiring to see a new 
order of merit at once instituted for our philosophers, 
EE 4 
