408 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



go against public opinion ; they must have the 

 sanction of example,, before they can make inno- 

 vations. Before, therefore, we analyse the question 

 above stated, it may be as well to scan the sen- 

 timents of nearly all civilised nations, proved by their 

 acts on this subject, that we may at once see 

 whether they accord with those which have hitherto 

 guided the government of this country in the honor- 

 ary reward of merit. 



(278.) A few striking facts, in addition to those 

 noticed in the preceding chapters, are alone neces- 

 sary to establish this proposition, — That from the 

 earliest revival of science down to the present 

 moment, the governments of the most powerful and 

 enlightened kingdoms in Europe have considered 

 honorary titles or distinctions appropriate rewards 

 to men of science ; and that in several we find 

 distinct orders of knighthood, or of merit, expressly 

 instituted for this purpose. 



(279.) We must begin with France, because, as 

 her institutions are better known in this country, her 

 situation offers an immediate point of comparison, 

 while the industry of a recent author enables us to 

 argue from the most convincing of all proofs — 

 names and figures. Mr. Babbage has given the 

 following tables, the correctness of which has not 

 been questioned. " If we analyse the list of the 

 Institute," observes our author, " we shall find few 

 who do not possess titles or decorations ; but, as the 

 value of such marks of royal favour must depend in 

 a great measure on their frequency, I shall mention 

 several particulars, which are probably not familiar 

 to the English reader. 



