Ixii REPORT — 1855. 



phical apparatus shall be provided ; and that arrangements shall be made for 

 testing by examination the proficiency of those who attend such lectures. 



4thly. That the formation of Museums and Public Libraries in such towns, 

 open to all classes, shall be encouraged and assisted in like manner as aid is 

 now given to instruction in the principles of art; that all imposts shall i)y 

 degrees be abolished that impede the diffusion of scientific knowledge; and 

 such donations of national publications be made as above mentioned. 



Stilly. That more encouragement shall be given, by fellowships, increased 

 salaries to Professors and other rewards, to the study of Physical Science. 



6thly. That an alteration shall be made in the present systeui of bestowing 

 pensions ; some annuities in the nature of good-service pensions be granted ; 

 and additional aid be given to the prosecution, reduction, and publication of 

 scientific researches. 



7thly. That an appropriate building, in some central situation in London, 

 shall be provided at the cost of the nation, in which the principal Scientific 

 Societies may be located together. 



8thly. That scientific offices shall be placed more nearly on a level, in respect 

 to salary, with such other civil appointments as are an object of ambition 

 to highly educated men ; that the officers themselves shall be emanci- 

 pated from all such interference as is calculated to obstruct the zealous per- 

 formance of their duties; and that new scientific offices shall be created in 

 some cases in which they are required. 



9thly. That facilities shall be given for transmitting and receiving scien- 

 tific publications to and from our colonies and foreign parts. 



lOthly, and lastly. That a Board of Science shall be constituted, composed 

 partly of persons holding offices under the Crown, and partly of men of the 

 highest eminence in science, which shall have the control and expenditure 

 of the greater part at least of the public funds given for its advancement 

 and encouragement, shall originate applications for pecuniary or other aid 

 to science, and generally perform such functions as are above described, 

 together with such others as Government or Parliament may think fit to 

 impose upon it. 



It will be observed, that the majority of the above desiderata ma be 

 described rather as suggestions on behalf of national education than as 

 privileges to be conferred on Science. Three of the propositions, however, 

 the 6th, 7th, and 8th, involve the establishment of privileges and rewards 

 not now enjoyed by those who make science either their profession or pur- 

 suit. Still it must be borne in mind, that the encouragement thereby 

 afforded to the cultivation of science, and not the boon to the individual, is 

 the principal object in view. 



The 10th proposition, the establishment of the Board, is not advocated as 

 a means of increasing privileges and emoluments, but as the best mode of 

 accomplishing an important national object. 



Of the value of Science no one surely can doubt who has received any 

 mental training worthy of the name of education ; and, notwithstanding any 

 seeming indifference to an object of such vital importance, we believe that 

 a feeling does pervade the community at large, that our country's welfare 

 and even safety depend upon its due encouragement and fostering; and this 

 is evidenced by the readiness with which the House of Commons accedes 

 to demands, when made on its behalf. Owing, however, to the system which 

 prevails in this country, of each successive Government striving to outvie 

 its predecessors in popularity by the reduction of public burdens, there is a 

 temptation sometimes to withhold grants which may swell the total outlay of 

 departments in which reductions are contemplated. This it is more par- 



