AMERICAN ALMS FOR BRITISH SCIENCE. 103 



to them as Englishmen. As our readers know, sixty- 

 eight persons had volunteered to go to Spain and Sicily 

 to view the total eclipse of December 22d ; our scientific 

 societies had voted large sums of money for the equip- 

 ment of the two observing parties ; and every one was 

 certain that Government would supply the means of 

 transport. But every one was mistaken. The Ad- 

 miralty discovered that the nation would assuredly 

 disapprove if room were found for mere men of science 

 and their trumpery in any of her Majesty's ships ; and 

 accordingly, just when the extensive preparations re- 

 quisite for the expeditions were in full progress, news 

 came that the means of transport must be found by 

 the observers themselves. "We do not care here we 

 hardly have patience, indeed to discuss the probable 

 cause of a refusal so discreditable to the scientific 

 repute of England. It had been announced by the 

 Astronomer-Royal (in connection with another matter), 

 that Government would always be found liberal in 

 scientific matters, if a sufficient cause were shown by 

 persons in whom they had trust ; and we do not care 

 to inquire whether the Astronomer-Eoyal was mistaken 

 in this matter, or whether the Government declined to 



shortness of the time eventually left for preparation may be regarded as 

 accounting for subsequent seeming short-comings on the part of the 

 Organizing Committee ; while fortunately the zeal of the expeditionists 

 averted the risk (which at one time seemed serious) that rather brusque 

 usage would cause some of the most important members of the expedi- 

 tions to withdraw their aid. 



