LETTERS ON PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 967 



most interesting subjects which engages the attention of geometers and 

 mathematicians at the present moment, viz : the planet Neptune, has been 

 invited by the Secretary from one of our members. 



While the committee would deprecate all attempts unduly to stimulate 

 the increase of knowledge, as sure to prove abortive, and to result at best 

 in the publication of crude investigations, they believe it quite possible to 

 remove some of the obstructions to its progress. Narrow circumstances 

 are too apt to be the lot of genius when devoted to scientific pursuits ; and 

 the necessity of providing for personal and domestic wants too often absorbs 

 the time and faculties of those who might, if relieved from cares of this 

 kind, have adorned their age and benefitted mankind. To such men a 

 moderate pecuniary advantage, derived from a successful investigation, 

 might be of vast importance. The efficacy of market upon production is 

 not limited to the creations of physical labor. It is seen in the history of 

 science and literature of every age and country. Invention in the mechan- 

 ical arts, and skill in practical science, are well paid in this country, and 

 how great is the harvest I The extraordinary effect even of an honorary 

 inducement is seen in the case of the medal offered by the king of Denmark 

 for the discovery of telescopic comets. On these principles it may be 

 hoped, that, by offering a moderate pecuniary compensation for researches 

 of real merit, valuable contributions to knowledge will be produced ; while 

 their publication will tend directly to the diffusion of knowledge. An en- 

 couragement somewhat similar, toward the promotion of the increase of 

 knowledge, would be afforded by another part of the proposed operations, 

 that of providing the requisite apparatus and implements, and especially 

 books, to be placed in the hands of those engaged in particular lines of in- 

 vestigation. In this way it is not unlikely that a considerable amount of 

 talent may be rendered effective, which at present is condemned to inactiv- 

 ity from local position unfavorable to scientific research. 



It is not the purpose of the committee to engage in minute criticism of 

 the details of the Programme ; but it may not be out of place to suggest a 

 doubt of the practicability or expediency of carrying into rigid execution 

 " the rejection of all unverified speculations," as proposed in the third par- 

 agraph of the first section above cited. While it is obviously advisable to 

 discountenance all theoretical speculations not directly built upon observa- 

 tion, it might be too much to exact, in all cases, that these speculations 

 should have been actually verified. No small portion of modern geology 

 is an ingenious structure of speculative generalizations. The undulatory 

 theory of light can hardly claim any other character. The nebular theory, 

 though proposed and illustrated by the highest astronomical talent of the 

 past and present generations, is rapidly sinking from the domain of accred- 

 ited speculations. It maybe doubted even whether M. Leverrier's brilliant 

 memoirs on the perturbations of Uranus would not, as published before the 

 discovery of Neptune, have fallen within this principle of rejection rigo- 

 rously applied. 



Upon the whole, the committee think very favorably of all parts of the 

 plan for increasing knowledge, and feel no doubt that it would afford im- 

 portant encouragement to scientific pursuits. To suppose that it will create 

 an era in science, or throw into the shade the ordinary educational and in- 

 tellectual influences at work in the country, would be extravagant. It is 

 enough, and all that can be expected, if it be a rational plan for appropriat- 

 ing moderate means toward the attainment of a desirable end. 



To fulfill the other objects of the trust, viz.: to " diffuse knowledge," 

 the Secretary proposes to publish " a series of reports, giving an account of 

 the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year 

 in all branches of knowledge not strictly professional." These reports are 

 to be prepared by collaborators most eminent in their several departments, 

 who are to receive a compensation for their labors ; the collaborator to be 

 furnished with all the journals and other publications necessary to the 

 preparation of his report. 



