REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE. lix 



salaried representative (always a man of distinguished eminence and autho- 

 rity in his line of research) of each of the following departments : 



Mathematics. Physiology. 



Astronomy. Zoology. 



Physics. Botany. 



Mechanics. Geology. 



Chemistry." 



Colonel Sabine considers that the working of the Board of Longitude, 

 whilst Dr. Young was its secretary, affords a model which, with a few 

 and slight modifications, might be extremely suitable for a Board, which 

 should be constituted with a more extended scientific scope. 



Admiral Smyth writes, " Mow for Science a real boon would be the esta- 

 blishment of a proper Board of Longitude, organized on clear principles, and 

 armed with power tantamount to its responsibility. This great step gained, 



the cultivators of science would necessarily advance A good Board of 



Longitude is meet for a maritime nation, and would, de facto, form its great 

 synod of knowledge." Again he writes, he does not mean a Board consti- 

 tuted as the former one so called, but " a useful institution resembling the 

 French Bureau des Longitudes, a Board managed by unequivocally qualified 

 men, both in talent and vocation, with regular salaries, who are personally 

 responsible for their public proceedings, whether regarding opinions, rewards, 

 or publications. This Bureau is composed of Geometres, Astronomes, 

 Anciens Navigateurs, Geographes, Artistes, andAdjoints; and there is no 

 doubt but that the model may be improved." 



Sir Philip Egerton describes the evils which result to Science from the 

 want of system in entertaining and deciding upon projects, and carrying out 

 the determinations of successive Governments in refeience to questions of 

 science. He complains that applications have to be made sometimes to one 

 department, sometimes to another ; that Governments are prone to give ear, 

 not to propositions in relation solely to the acquisition and furtherance of 

 pure Science, but to the economic application of scientific principles to the 

 improvement of arts and manufactures ; a most essential matter indeed, and 

 properly confided to the Board of Trade, but which ought not to be con- 

 founded with the more intellectual process of scientific research. Sir Philip 

 thus proceeds: "The toil and labour of the latter are too apt to be left to 

 the unaided exertions of the scientific drudge, and the Government steps in 

 and reaps the benefit, — the osprey catches the fish, but the sea-eagle appro- 

 priates it. The remedy I would propose for this state of things is, the esta- 

 blishment of a Board of Science, to which all questions of a scientific nature 

 might be referred by the Government for consideration. The constitution of 

 this Board might be easily made such as to command the confidence both of 

 the Government and the public ; but it should be provided, that only a 

 portion of the members should be dependent on the existence of the ministry 

 of the day. Certain funds might be placed yearly at the absolute disposition 

 of the Board ; but all recommendations for the application of large funds 

 would of course require the sanction of the Government." 



The Astronomer Royal considers a restriction of the functions of the Board 

 desirable ; he thinks that it should initiate proposals and tirge them on the 

 Government ; but he objects to its acting as a general referee and arbitrator 

 in all matters connected with Science. 



There is an expression in the letter of Professor Forbes which appears to 

 us to describe, with great propriety, what ought to be the characteristics of 

 the fjiture Board ; he says, " it should have at once authority and knowledge \" 



