

Hindrances to Science in this country. 59 



permanent progress by means of original research. 

 But the discoveries made in such a place as the 

 Royal Institution of Great Britain have had a vastly 

 greater beneficial effect upon civilization than that of 

 any technical institution which has ever existed. 



In a letter received by me from the Duke of 

 Somerset, and which I have permission to publish, 

 the true state of things in this country in relation to 

 pure research is stated with remarkable accuracy 

 and brevity : 



" The hindrances to scientific studies in this 

 country are very many. The gentry are almost 

 invariably educated by the clergy, and the clergy 

 have seldom had time or opportunities for any 

 scientific study. They usually take pupils or become 

 tutors as soon as they have taken their degrees, and 

 can only teach the Latin and Greek which they have 

 themselves learned. The commercial classes value 

 what they call practical science ; this means some 

 application of science for the purpose of making 

 money. Competitive examinations may promote a 

 superficial acquaintance with the elements of science, 

 but are unfavourable to the development of scientific 

 culture. The scientific associations tend to degrade 

 science by exhibiting scientific men as candidates 

 for applause from assemblies which seek amusement 

 and startling results from lectures and experiments. 

 The advancement of science, is therefore, left to 

 comparatively few men, who are unregarded and 

 unrewarded." 



