OUTLINES OF A NEW SOCIETY. 449 



features of the contemplated association ; and, if 

 its necessity be conceded, it is impossible it can be 

 founded upon better principles. It is urged as a 

 reason for such a society, that no effectual support 

 can be expected from government either in the way 

 of creating a scientific tribunal, whose opinions 

 would deserve the confidence of the nation, or in 

 bestowing titular or honorary distinctions, by which 

 the true philosopher can be recognised from the 

 mere pretender, or the wealthy amateur. It is 

 likewise argued, that the Royal Society, up to the 

 present time, has done nothing to reform its in- 

 ternal government, or to remove the least of those 

 complaints that have been urged against it from so 

 many quarters.* It is further contended, and we 

 think justly, that such a society, by the difficulty 

 there would be of belonging to it, would at once 

 concentrate the united talents of the kingdom, to 

 the exclusion of all common-place merit ; and that it 

 would consequently become an object of the highest 

 ambition with men of science, to be enrolled among 

 its members. Whether the meetings were held in 

 a palace or a hovel, would be perfectly immaterial ; 

 for all who had scientific ambition would ardently 

 desire to be of the elite : they would find that 

 neither titles, nor wealth, nor interest, would avail 



* It should be stated, however, that full and very satis- 

 factory accounts of the pecuniary transactions of the society 

 have recently been printed and sent to the members. The 

 publication of the president's speeches is also an improve- 

 ment. But the contemplated plan of recruiting the funds of 

 the society, by increasing the admission fees, is only an aggra- 

 vation of the evils detailed at p. 434. 

 G G 



