567 



view with Lord Palmerston, in the month of June last, had given 

 us ground to hope that we should ere now have received some offi- 

 cial notification of the intentions of Government on this subject., 

 In this we have been unhappily disappointed ; but all the informa- 

 tion which has been received during the recess would lead to the 

 conclusion that it has been determined to place Burlington House, or 

 buildings erected on or near its site, at the disposition of the prin- 

 cipal Scientific Societies of this Metropolis. No situation could be 

 selected more favourable ; and one cannot but anticipate that very 

 important advantages will accrue to Science from their joint occupa- 

 tion of such a site. Among the most important of the benefits likely 

 to flow from this change of our abode, I would specify, 1st, the 

 facilities which it will afford to men engaged in common pursuits to 

 meet and interchange their thoughts and views on subjects deeply 

 interesting to all of them ; 2ndly, the economical advantages that 

 will result from a joint occupation ; 3rdly, the benefits which will 

 accrue to all the societies by the approximation of their libraries ; 

 and 4thly, the great increase of weight and dignity arising from so 

 public a recognition of the claims of Science to national regard. At 

 the same time we may purchase these advantages too dearly ; and 

 all the circumstances of the exchange must be well weighed before 

 we finally agree to abandon our present location. 



Since my acceptance of this office, I can truly say I have received 

 the most unvaried kindness from all. The best understanding has 

 always subsisted, and I trust will ever continue to subsist, between 

 your officers ; and the various matters of business which arise in 

 the intervals between successive meetings of Council have been dis- 

 cussed by them at meetings held prior to each Council ; by which 

 arrangement, the officers bring to the Council a better knowledge of 

 the principal subjects about to be deliberated upon. 



In the Report of the Parliamentary Committee, to which allusion 

 has been already made, various other matters of great importance 

 have been mooted, which maybe classed under two heads: 1st, 

 those which respect the extension of scientific knowledge ; and, 

 2ndly, those which have relation to rewards and encouragements to 

 be bestowed on proficients in that department of learning. Under 

 the first division, the most important questions, doubtless, that can 

 be agitated are those of the means to be adopted for improving the 



