424 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



it maybe questioned whether such a measure, in the 

 present state of affairs, would be in any way expedient; 

 for, if we are retrograding in the higher walks of 

 science, the first duty of a wise administration will 

 be to check that declension, and provide for a restor- 

 ation. Let us first encourage and foster scientific 

 talent, and then, if it bring forth good fruit, let it be 

 honoured and rewarded. At present our scale of 

 excellency is at so low a standard, that with the 

 exception of about a dozen names, — and these con- 

 fined to two or three particular departments, — we 

 have really so few possessing those high qualifica- 

 tions which are rewarded by honorary distinctions 

 in other countries, that if a distinct scientific order 

 were instituted, there would be a lack of members 

 to fill it ! The inevitable consequence of this defi- 

 ciency of real merit, would be the admission of many 

 of very slender pretensions; while — from the in- 

 competency of the higher classes to judge for them- 

 selves on such matters, and the propensity there is 

 in all our administrators to augment their political 

 power — the new order would be chiefly filled through 

 the channels of patronage, and by amateurs rather 

 than by acknowledged adepts. A reserved and re- 

 tired disposition, absorbed in its own unobtrusive pur- 

 suits, and shunning those busy haunts where personal 

 popularity is to be gained, and personal interests ad- 

 vanced, are the general characteristics of the man of 

 real knowledge. These men are the very last who are 

 likely to gain the attention, much less the regard, 

 of those by whose recommendation such favours are 

 dispensed. Should any administration, therefore, 

 in future times, really wish to place the science of 



