122 Aimhjsis of Scieiilijif Boolis. 



only to bfi had in Albcinarle-streot, or the agreeable reverse ; 

 and at length finding that, for want of method and good under- 

 standing, he loses a week iiT London in search of that which 

 a day w'ould effect in Paris. We, however, by no means intend 

 to hold np the literary and scientific establishinents of France 

 as deserving unalloyed praise or unqualified imitation ; there 

 is about them, that jobbing servility, and cringing subser- 

 viency, which betrays their shackles and dependance. 



But,' not to lose time in the further enumeration of the 

 serious and multiplied inconveniences which obviously result 

 from the divisions and subdivisions into which the scientific 

 establishments of the metropolis are split, let us, briefly as may 

 be, inquire whether any tangible remedy is at hand, which, 

 while it includes the advantages of the disunion, may at the 

 same time heal the dissensions which it creates, and fill up the 

 chasms which it has induced. 



Should government be seriously memorialized aiul appealed 

 to in behalf of the semi-bankrupt state of our scientific bodies 

 in general? should we humbly pray relief, and suggest 

 the benefit that woidd accrue from the establishment of hono^ 

 rary rewards, and other distinctions, which very moderate 

 pecuniary aid would confer? Should they l)c told that the 

 apartments of the lloyal Society in Somerset-House are alto- 

 o;ether inadequate; that they are out of repair; that the 

 valuable library is scattered through various rooms for want of 

 one large enough to receive it; that the Society has been 

 obliged to dispose of a variety of instruments and apparatus 

 in consequence of the expense of hiring an apartment for their 

 preservation? should not the Society at once pray for a palace 

 in ihe new street, appropriately convenient and magnificent, 

 and humbly request that the sum of 50,000Z. be further granted 

 to the body to defray various necessary expenses, and to esta- 

 blish a fund for its future exigencies ? Should we not hint at 

 the Jardin dcs Planics, and its sumptuous museum and amphi- 

 theatre ; at the palace of the Institute, and the magnificent 

 hall of the Louvre appropriated to its members. To this and 

 much more, the Chancellor of the Exchequer might reply 

 nearly as follows: " Gentlemen; His Majesty's government has 

 at all times shewn its disposition to promote the objects of science 

 when fit opportunity has presented itself, but under existing 

 circumstances, I should not feel justified in advising the in- 

 creased expenditure which the adoption of your request would 

 involve : the Parisian establishments, to which you have 

 alluded, have not conferred such exaltation and improvement 

 upon science as to render them objects of our imitation, for 

 with means derived from private sources, you have achieved 

 conquests in the dominions of knowledge which are without 

 I equal; and as neither the late Mr. Cavendish, nor Sir Joseph 



