390 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



the most dangerous in Europe, are still, as it is 

 asserted, illuminated by the " old unscientific me- 

 thods." If any misapplication of patronage calls for 

 an immediate reform, it is surely in these establish- 

 ments, wherein is largely involved the risk of human 

 life, and the loss of large property. Mr. Babbage 

 adduces another instance, bearing strongly upon 

 this exclusion of scientific men from the national 

 councils, which is even more to the purpose. " To 

 those who measure the question of the national 

 encouragement of science by its value in pounds, 

 shillings, and pence, I will here state," observes 

 Mr. Babbage, " the following fact: — A short time 

 since it was discovered by government that the 

 terms on which annuities had been granted by them 

 were erroneous, and new tables were introduced by 

 act of parliament. It was stated at the time that 

 the erroneous tables had caused a loss to the country 

 of between 2,000,000/. and 3,000,000/. sterling. The 

 fact of the sale of those annuities being a losing 

 concern, was long known to many, and the govern- 

 ment appear to have been the last to be informed 

 on the subject." Now it is perfectly clear, that if 

 the government had condescended to consult our 

 mathematicians, before they legislated on matters 

 they were confessedly ignorant upon, this enormous 

 loss to the public purse would not have happened. 

 Had one half of this sum been judiciously applied to 

 the protection and encouragement of science, institu- 

 tions might have been endowed, professorships estab- 

 lished, and pensions provided for our philosophers, 

 which would have placed the scientific establishments 

 of the nation on an equality with those of all others. 



