Ixii REPORT—1852. 
United States, by whom an arrangement was made for the admission duty 
free of all scientific books addressed as presents from foreign countries to all 
institutions and individuals cultivating science in that country, such books 
being sent through the Smithsonian Institution, by whom their further dis- 
tribution to their respective destinations was undertaken. This arrangement 
was notified to our Government through the British Minister at Washington, 
and a similar privilege was at the same time requested for the admission 
duty free into England of books sent as presents from the United States to 
public institutions and individuals cultivating science in this country, under 
such regulations as might appear most fitting. This proposition gave rise to 
communications between the President of the Royal Society and the Chair- 
man of the Parliamentary Committee on the one part, and the Treasury and 
the principal Commissioner of Customs on the other; the result of which 
has been the concession of the privilege of admission, duty free, into England 
of scientific books from all countries, designed as presents to institutions and 
individuals named in lists to be prepared from time to time by the Royal So- 
ciety, after communication with other scientific societies recognized by charter, 
under the regulation, however, that the books are to be imported in cases 
addressed to and passing through the Royal Society. This arrangement has 
come into operation; and it may be interesting to notice, as giving some 
idea of its extensive bearing, that the first arrival from the United 
States which has taken place under these regulations consists of packages 
weighing in all no less than three tons. There is another branch of the 
same subject which is more difficult to arrange, viz. the international com- 
munication by post of scientific pamphlets and papers at reduced rates of 
postage; the Parliamentary Committee have directed their attention to this 
part of the subject also, and I earnestly hope that their exertions will be 
successful. 
Allusions have been made by influential men, and in influential places, to 
a direct representation of Science in Parliament; and we frequently hear 
opinions expressed that Parliament might be improved by a greater admix- 
ture of men who might be chosen as the representatives of the intellectual 
cultivation of the nation, amongst those who represent its material interests. 
The benefit which the Legislature might derive from a change of this descrip- 
tion, is a question rather for statesmen than for men of science, and would 
be quite unsuitable for discussion here: but in respect to the influence which 
such change would exercise on Science itself and on its cultivators, it does 
belong to us to consider both its probable advantages and disadvantages. I 
have no hesitation in expressing as an individual opinion, my belief that the 
possible gain would be incaleulably outweighed by the too certain evils; and 
that scientific men cannot too highly value and desire to retain the advantage 
they now possess in the undisturbed enjoyment of their own pursuits un- 
troubled by the excitements and distractions of political life. Some there 
are amongst us, and some there ever have been, who, born to a station which 
