NATURE 



\Aug. 



875 



results of experiments in the laboratory, they are entirely 

 different from those of Mathematical Astronomy. 



" Our opinion as to the desirability of such an institu- 

 tion is confirmed by the example of foreign nations ; 

 observatories for astronomical physics being already at 

 work in various parts of Italy, and their immediate erec- 

 tion having been determined on at Berlin and at Paris. 



" We venture to express the hope that similar institu- 

 tions may before long be established in various parts of 

 the British Empire. The regularity of the climatic con- 

 ditions of India, and the possibility ^of obtaining there 

 favourable stations at considerable heights, render it 

 especially desirable that arrangements should be made 

 for carrying on physical observations of the sun in that 

 country. 



"3. With respect to Meteorology we are of opinion 

 that the operations of the Meteorological Office have 

 been attended with great advantage to science and to the 

 country. The subject of Meteorology is a very vast one, 

 and any scheme for its proper cultivation or extension 

 must comprise — (i) Arrangements for observing and regis- 

 tering meteorological facts ; (2) Arrangements for the 

 reduction, discussion, and publication of the observa- 

 tions ; (3) Researches undertaken for the purpose of dis- 

 covering the physical causes of the phenomena observed. 

 The resources placed at the disposal of the Committee 

 are inadequate to cover the whole of this wide field ; and, 

 having due regard to all the circumstances of the case, 

 we believe that in selecting certain parts of it, as the 

 objects of their special attention, they have been guided 

 by a sound discretion. 



" We are also disposed to consider that although, as 

 we have already said, the Meteorological Committee 

 occupies an anomalous position, no other form of organ- 

 isation could advantageously have been adopted under 

 the actual conditions. We think, however, that if, as we 

 shall hereinafter recommend, a Ministry of Science should 

 be established, the head of the Meteorological Office 

 should be made responsible to the Minister. We fully 

 concur with the opinion expressed by the witnesses that 

 many branches of meteorology can only be effectually pro- 

 moted by an organisation having the support of Govern-, 

 ment ; and we would draw especial attention to the con- 

 sideration that if meteorology is to take rank as a branch 

 of terrestrial physics, the observations must be made at 

 stations widely dispersed over all parts of the earth's sur- 

 face, and those taken by observers of different nations 

 must be so arranged as to be comparable with one an- 

 other. It is obvious that the intervention of Government 

 would greatly facilitate the attainment of both these 

 objects. 



" We are very unwilling that any scientific observations 

 which can adequately be carried on by individuals or 

 associations of individuals, should be undertaken by a 

 department of the Government. So far as the local in- 

 terests connected with climatic meteorology suffice to 

 ensure due attention being paid to that branch of science, 

 we should prefer to see it left mainly to scientific societies, 

 any assistance the Government might afford being merely 

 subsidiary. That useful results may be obtained by 

 voluntary effort is evident from the work carried on under 

 the direction of Mr. Glaisher, and from the case of the 

 Scottish Meteorological Society, which has succeeded, 

 with very narrow means, in organising a valuable system 

 of observations on the meteorology of Scotland. It is, 

 however, important that any grants for the promotion of 

 meteorological observations in aid of voluntary efforts 

 should be made on some systematic principle \ and the 

 attainment of this object would be furthered ; by making 

 them subject to the control of a minister, who would be 

 cognisant of all the facts relating to the expenditure of the 

 Government upon meteorology. 



" We may point out that the returns furnished by the 

 Scottish Meteorological Society and Mr. Glaisher, are 



adopted by the Registrars General, and are reco.cjnised 

 by Committees of Parhament in discussions affecting the 

 public health, the supply of water, and other matters of 

 the same kind. The value of observations undertaken, 

 as in this case, by private individuals or voluntary asso- 

 ciations, must vary from time to time, according to the 

 efficiency of the persons principally concerned in their 

 superintendence. We feel, therefore, that the question 

 how far it is proper that such observations should receive 

 official sanction, cannot be decided a priori, and must be 

 left to the judgment of the responsible Minister for the 

 time being. 



" 4. With regard to tidal observations, it will be seen 

 that, in the opinion of the witnesses, these have not 

 hitherto been conducted and reduced systematically. 

 Considering the agencies which the Government can 

 employ for the purpose of making these observations, the 

 importance of providing proper superintendence for them, 

 and of securing their reduction, we think it desirable that 

 they should be carried on under Government control. 

 The expense involved would chiefly consist in the esta- 

 blishment at proper points, and verification, of tide 

 gauges, and in the reduction of the observations ; these 

 being entrusted to officers of Government already sta- 

 tioned at the ports and on the various coasts of the 

 Empire. 



"5. The witnesses have expressed themselves strongly 

 as to the justice and pohcy of remuneration to investi- 

 gators for their time and trouble, and the ; evidence also 

 shows by implication how great must have been the sacri- 

 fices of those who without private fortune have hitherto 

 devoted their great talents and their valuable time to 

 such work without any remuneration whatever. 



"It has hitherto been a rule in the granting of Govern- 

 ment aid to scientific investigators, subject, so far as we 

 have been able to ascertain, to but very few exceptions, 

 that such aid should be limited to what was necessary to 

 meet the expenditure actually incurred on instruments, 

 materials, and assistance. 



" To grants made under these conditions we think that 

 considerable extension might be given. 



" It is hardly necessary to assert the principle that 

 when scientific work is undertaken at the request of the 

 Government, the State is not only justified in paying, but 

 is under obligation to pay for what is done on its behalf 

 and for its service. But we desire to express our belief 

 that there are many instances of unremunerative research 

 in which the benefit conferred on the nation by those who 

 have voluntarily engaged in it establishes a claim upon 

 the State for compensation for their time and labour. 

 Without such compensation much important work must 

 remain unperformed, because it must be expected that 

 many of the best men will not be in circumstances 

 enabling them to devote long periods of time to unre- 

 munerated labour. 



" It is a matter of course that State aid shall only be 

 given to investigators whose capacity and industry have 

 been placed beyond a reasonable doubt." 



With regard to head IV., the Commissioners make the 

 following general remarks :— 



" The functions of the Government with regard to 

 science may be summed up under the three following 

 heads : — 



" I. The treatment of the scientific questions incident 

 to the business of the public departments. 



"2. The direction of scientific instruction when given 

 under the superintendence or control of the State. 



" 3. The consideration of all questions involving State 

 aid towards the advancement of science, and of adminis- 

 trative questions arising out of such aid. 



" It would be difficult to enumerate exhaustively all the 

 various topics comprehended under these three heads, and 

 it will be sufficient for the purpose of showing how wide 



