^32 Transactions of the Canadian Institute. [vol. ix 



Private Beneficence. 



The subject of Research has a peculiar attraction for men of large 

 means. First, Research takes a great deal of money to be effective. 

 Then, it has a very definite aim which appeals to men of large fortunes 

 and business habits. In 1910 in the British Empire — none of them, 

 I am sorry to say, in Canada — thirteen men of large means gave or be- 

 queathed for Research no less than $3,441,500, the largest one sum of this 

 being for the Otto Beit Scholarships for scientific students, the capital 

 amounting to $1,075,000. The two great American capitalists, Messrs. 

 Carnegie and Rockefeller, have shown great interest in Research and have 

 been very liberal towards it. A purely Research Institution — the Car- 

 negie Institute of Washington, during the past year, 1911, gave to ten 

 different departments of Research the sum of $450,160. Rockefeller's 

 Foundation for Medical Research, which had received from him for the 

 Institute and the Hospital in former years $3,820,000 had from him in 

 1911 the princely gift of $3,520,000. It was also interesting to note that 

 a bequest for Research — unique in being left by Alexander Agassiz, 

 one of the professorial class, which does not as a profession usually possess 

 a plethora of wealth, was given last year, amounting to $225,000. 



United Support of Research. 



One of the strong features of German advance in Research is the 

 union of all classes of the people in supporting it. Kings and Grand 

 Dukes find their highest pleasure in being patrons and liberal supporters 

 of learning. 



The latest example of this is seen in Germany. The Emperor has 

 become head of an organization called "The Kaiser Wilhelm Society for 

 the Promotion of Science. " Individuals or firms pay $5,000 for entrance, 

 or may make an annual contribution of $250, commutable by a lump 

 sum of $10,000. The Emperor announced in 1910 that the Society al- 

 ready had a capital of $2,500,000. The object of this society is to sub- 

 sidize from this fund men of distinction in Science and thus reward and 

 stimulate Research. 



Co-operative Research Work. 



Several of the United States Universities, imitating somewhat the 

 German Universities and the Modern Science Universities of England 

 in obtaining the co-operation of Manufacturers have accomplished a 

 great work in Research. A few examples of these are well worth our 

 attention. 



