THE ROYAL SOCIETY. 433 
jection is, tn the mind of any one who has well 
considered the subject, it would, doubtless, be suf- 
ficient to prevent the execution of such an arrange- 
ment. It, therefore, only remains to consider the 
practicability of the fourth plan, which would, in 
process of time, purge the society of all “ wseless 
fellows,” and thus restore it to its pristine vigour. 
To effect this, let no future members be considered 
eligible until they have given in an essay or paper 
to the society, in their own line of science, by which 
their fitness and proficiency can be fairly judged. 
Some few exceptions to this general rule might be 
made, as in the case of philosophers, whose works 
have already procured them high reputation; or 
of noblemen, who are acknowledged patrons of 
science or of learning. By these regulations the 
present members, worthy or unworthy, will be left 
in quiet possession of their “ vested rights;” and 
no offence will be given to either. Admission to 
the society will immediately become an object of 
ambition from the very moment the* new law is 
promulgated, and the next generation would see the 
society assuming that elevated station in the ranks 
of European science, which is her legitimate right, 
concentrating within herself nearly all the varied 
talents of the nation. 
(299.) It is clear, however, that even this last 
regulation would be much less effectual than it 
should be, unless some considerable reduction was 
made in the amount of fees paid for admission. 
These amount, at present, we have been told, to no 
less than 50/.; whereas, some fifteen years ago, we 
remember to have paid only about 302 We know 
FF 
