Ix REPORT — 1855. 



and after weighing all the above suggestions, and considering the constitu- 

 tion of other Boards established for carrjing out nearly similar objects, we 

 think that the new Board should be composed of a certain number of persons 

 holding high official situations in the State, more or less connected with 

 science and education ; and others holding scientific offices under the 

 Government ; together with tiie most eminent men in every department of 

 science. With respect to the official class, there can be no necessity that 

 they should be as numerous as in the late Board of Longitude, of which 

 about fourteen persons answering to that description were members. 

 Lord Rosse, the Astronomer Royal, and Admiral Smyth, have expressed 

 opinions unfavourable to the admission of great Officers of State as ex officio 

 members of the proposed Board. Admiral Smyth is even opposed to ex 

 officio Members altogether, and would have all the Members of the Board 

 elected. In these views of the Admiral we cannot concur ; but the expedi- 

 ency of admitting the great Officers at all admits of some doubt. We are un- 

 willing to believe that the free expression of opinion on the part of the other 

 members of the Board would be controlled by the presence of Ministers of 

 State to the extent apprehended by the Astronomer Royal ; but an objection 

 to the measure alluded to by Lord Rosse, viz. that these Officers must of 

 necessity, in the great majority of instances, derive their information on the 

 subjects discussed from the discussion itself, is entitled to some weight. 



Whatever determination, however, may be adopted in reference to these 

 matters, we are anxious that a principle of stability and permanence should 

 have place in constituting a body which is to exercise such important 

 functions. A certain proportion of the members might perhaps hold their 

 offices for life, as is now the case in the Board of Visitors at Greenwich ; but 

 some provision should be made for the retirement of a sufficient number, to 

 ensure the ranks being recruited occasionally by the election of young and 

 rising men in the various departments of science. It may not perhaps be 

 advisable to endanger the success of an application to Government for the 

 establisiiment of this Board, by adopting the suggestions of those who desire 

 that salaries should be given to several of its members, as such. We may 

 perhaps trust to the ultimate adoption of some of our other recommendations, 

 in which the general public are more directly interested, for providing stimu- 

 lants to scientific exertion, without seeking for them here. 



It will be necessary, however, that a Secretary, with a salary, should be 

 appointed to the Board, and that a place of meeting and deposit for papers 

 should be assigned. 



Professor Phillips suggests that the proceedings of the Board should be 

 embodied in an annual report to Parliament, which should be widely circu- 

 lated ; a suggestion in which we entirely coincide. 



It will probably be thought right that the functions of the Board should 

 be rather strictly defined in the instrument which constitutes it. 



If the working of the Board be satisfactory, and the confidence of 

 Parliament and the public be really acquired, it is hardly taking too sanguine 

 a view to anticipate, — 1st, that there will be greater assistance and encourage- 

 ment given than heretofore to Science, and scientific researches, and the 

 reduction and publication of such researches, in cases where such aid is 

 required ; 2ndly, that the necessary funds will be more directly and easily 

 obtained ; and, 3rdly, that the influence and authority of such a body of 

 distinguished men will ensure the adoption of all suggestions made or ap- 

 proved by them for the benefit of Science, check improvident and reckless 

 schemes, promote those that are deserving of encouragement, and generally 

 give to Science its due weight and importance in the councils of the nation. 



