4.94: STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
it may be questioned whether such a measure, in the 
present state of affairs, would be in any way expedient; 
for, if we are retrograding in the higher walks of 
science, the first duty of a wise administration will 
be to check that declension, and provide for a restor- 
ation. Let us first encourage and foster scientific 
talent, and then, if it bring forth good fruit, let it be 
honoured and rewarded. At present our scale of 
excellency is at so low a standard, that with the 
exception of about a dozen names,—and these con- 
fined to two or three particular departments, —we 
have really so few possessing those high qualifica- 
tions which are rewarded by honorary distinctions 
in other countries, that if a distinct scientific order 
were instituted, there would be a lack of members 
to fill it! The inevitable consequence of this defi- 
ciency of real merit, would be the admission of many 
of very slender pretensions; while—from the in- 
competency of the higher classes to judge for them- 
selves on such matters, and the propensity there is 
in all our administrators to augment their political 
power—the new order would be chiefly filled through 
the channels of patronage, and by amateurs rather 
than by acknowledged adepts. A reserved and re- 
tired disposition, absorbed in its own unobtrusive pur- 
suits, and shunning those busy haunts where personal 
popularity is to be gained, and personal interests ad- 
vanced, are the general characteristics of the man of 
real knowledge. These men are the very last who are 
likely to gain the attention, much less the regard, 
of those by whose recommendation such favours are 
dispensed. Should any administration, therefore, 
in future times, reaily wish to place the science of 
