CONTINENTAL PATRONAGE. 353 



to perform his magnetic tour in Siberia. This 

 generous confidence in their countryman has been 

 well repaid by a series of the most valuable ob- 

 servations ; and we are sure that every philosopher 

 in Europe is deeply grateful to the patriotic Nor- 

 wegians for an act of devotion to science, which 

 would do honour to the most powerful nation.* 



(243.) Enough, we think, has now been stated, 

 to supply an answer to the question with which 

 we set out; namely, — Is science more neglected 

 by the government of this country than on the 

 Continent? — for we have seen that, with the ex- 

 ception of Britain, Turkey, and perhaps of Spain, 

 " scientific acquirements conduct their possessors 

 to wealth, to honours, to official dignity, and to 

 the favour and friendship of the sovereign." 



(244.) We now come to the second question 

 proposed; — Does abstract science, and more par- 

 ticularly natural history, stand in need of any 

 peculiar or national encouragement? We might 

 dismiss this with a very simple reply in the affirm- 

 ative, by merely asking, whether the pursuit of 

 philosophy will give to its followers the means of 

 living, and will enable them to provide that suitable 

 income for themselves and families, which moderate 

 abilities in other professions will almost always 

 insure ? If science will accomplish this, it requires 

 no protection or sujDport ; but if, as is notorious, it is 

 the most precarious and the most thankless of all 

 pursuits, encouragement and protection of some 

 sort is absolutely necessary for all those who possess 



Quarterly Rev. p. 319. 

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