xxxviii REPORT — 1856. 



Report of the Parliamentary Committee of the British Association to 

 the Meeting at Cheltenham in August 1856. 



The Parliamentary Committee have the honour to report as follows : — 



We have the pleasure of announcing that one very important subject to 

 which our labours have been directed has been materially advanced since 

 the date of our last Report; we allude to the juxtaposition of the Scientific 

 Societies of London in a convenient and central locality. 



The main building at Burlington House has been placed by the Govern- 

 ment at the disposal of the Royal Society, on the understanding that they 

 accommodate the Linnean and Chemical Societies with rooms therein ; and the 

 West Wing will be converted into a capacious Hall, which is to be occu- 

 pied by the Royal Society at all times when it is not required for the 

 examinations and public meetings of the University of London. 



We trust that the period is not far distant in which permanent accommo- 

 dation will be afforded to all the principal Scientific Societies in buildings to 

 be erected near the same site, and in pursuance of some general plan. 



Your Committee, however, anticipate most important advantages to Science 

 from the present partial adoption by the Government of the principle of 

 juxtaposition ; and our Chairman has in his address to the Royal Society on 

 the occasion of their last Anniversary, alluded to the benefits likely to accrue 

 from this salutary measure. 



In the same Address also will be found a Summary of our labours since 

 our complete organization in 1851, a perusal of which will show to what 

 extent the proceedings of our Committee have justified the anticipations of 

 those who promoted its formation. 



During the past year two subjects have been referred to us, viz.: — 



1st. The question of the expenses incurred by Scientific Institutions not 

 incorporated in appointing new trustees of their property, when vacancies 

 occur. And, 2ndly. We were requested by your Council in January last 

 to support an application to Parliament, in reference to lighting Kew Ob- 

 servatory with gas, when made by the Chief Commissioner of Woods. 



The first subject above adverted to has been considered by us, and we 

 shall resume its discussion when an opportunity offers for remedying the 

 evil. 



With respect to the second, we must refer to the Report of the Kew 

 Committee for an explanation of the reasons which have made it impossible 

 for us to render that species of assistance, which was contemplated at the 

 time when the reference was made to us. 



The most important subject of our last Report, viz. the question " whether 

 any measures could be adopted by the Government or Parliament that would 

 improve the position of Science or its Cultivators? " has since its discussion 

 at Glasgow been again considered by us ; and during the last Session of 

 Parliament it was brought before the House of Commons by Mi'. Heywood, 

 as an individual Member of the House, and not as representing your 

 Committee. 



The discussion of our Report by the Committee of Recommendations at 

 Glasgow in September last, the result of the debate which took, place in 

 the House of Commons on the occasion last referred to, and subsequent 

 communications with Members of the Legislature, have combined to 

 convince us — 



1st. That men of science have as yet formed no definite opinion 

 on the important question raised in the Report. 



