CHAPTER IV. 



THE PROMOTION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 



NEARLY the whole of the most distinguished 

 mathematicians, physicists, chemists, biologists, and 

 physiologists of Great Britain, also the Earl of Derby, 

 the Marquis of Salisbury, Sir Stafford Northcote> 

 and many other eminent men, have given evidence 

 before the Royal Commissioners on "Scientific Instruc- 

 tion and the Advancement of Science"* to the follow- 

 ing effect: 1st. That the promotion of original 

 scientific research is neglected in this country. 

 2nd. That such research is encouraged more by the 

 State in Germany than here. And $rd. That much 

 greater encouragement of it by our Government, by 

 the Universities and the Public, is highly neces- 

 sary to our commercial prosperity. They have also 

 stated in evidence their opinions as to the best 

 ways in which they consider it may be assisted. The 

 additional fact that all the greatest scientific men who 

 have ever existed have pursued research, and sacrificed 

 much for it, is a practical proof that they also approved 

 of its encouragement. 



That research should be promoted is further the 

 opinion of many men learned in politics, literature, 

 art, and science. The views expressed in numerous 

 letters on the subject, received by me from Members 



* See vols. i (1872) 2 (1874) of the Reports of that Commission 



