308 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



has been asserted on this head by Professor Babbage 

 is capable of satisfactory explanation, it was certainly 

 incumbent on the parties concerned to have pre- 

 vented the injurious influence of such statements, by 

 giving such explanation. If, on the other hand, 

 they cannot be contradicted, the society, as a body, 

 must expect to suffer in public estimation. One 

 thing, however, may be here observed, that we are 

 unacquainted with any of our naturalists of the last 

 century, on whom these distinctions have been con- 

 ferred ; although there are instances in former times 

 of several having been so honoured!* 



(216.) The remaining gifts for the promotion of 

 science are also alone possessed by the Royal Society; 

 they consist of pecuniary bequests in the shape of lec- 

 tures ; of which we believe there are but two, the Fair- 

 child and the Croonian. The observations of Pro- 

 fessor Babbage on the first of these are characterised 

 by so much good sense and sound judgment, that 

 we shall not weaken them by using different language, 

 with the hope that the subject may claim that at- 

 tention from the present council it so imperatively 

 demands. It appears that a Mr. Fairchild, during 

 the last century, " left by will twenty -five pounds 

 to the Royal Society. This was increased by several 

 subscriptions, and 100/. in the 3 per cent. South 

 Sea annuities was purchased, the interest of which 

 was to be devoted annually to pay for a sermon 

 to be preached at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch. Few 

 members of the society," observes our authority, 

 " are aware, perhaps, either of the bequest or of its 



* Ellis, Edwards, &c. 



