APPENDIX 



COPY OF LETTER AND ENCLOSURE SENT TO THE 

 UNIVERSITIES 



THE ROYAL SOCIETY, 



BURLINGTON HOUSE, LONDON, W. 



January 21, 1904. 



SIR, The Address delivered by the President of the Royal 

 Society (Sir William Huggins) at the anniversary meeting on 

 December i, 1902, was devoted in part to a consideration of the 

 defects of the system of Secondary Education in this country, in- 

 cluding the prevalent absence of initiation into scientific method 

 and habits of observation. The public interest excited by this 

 Address has led to urgent application to the Royal Society, from 

 persons whose opinions carry great weight, that this subject should 

 not be allowed to drop ; and the Council have, moreover, been 

 informed that some of those occupying the most responsible positions 

 with regard to the Public Schools would welcome advice and assist- 

 ance in this matter from outside. The President and Council of 

 the Royal Society, after careful consideration, came to the con- 

 clusion that they would not be justified in entirely declining the 

 task thus influentially pressed upon them ; and they accordingly 

 appointed a Special Committee to prepare the subject for detailed 

 consideration, and especially to suggest a plan for inviting the 

 active participation of the Universities in the problem of the im- 



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