ii TRUTH AND TESTIMONY 35 



the altruistic spirit which induces men of science to band 

 themselves together in societies having for their sole 

 aim the advancement of knowledge in particular direc- 

 tions ; and that these men should themselves pay to 

 enlighten and benefit others by the publication of their 

 researches is almost incomprehensible to the selfish or 

 money-making mind ; yet such is the case. While the 

 State grant made by Great Britain towards the expense 

 of the publications of learned societies is limited to the 

 sum of one thousand pounds annually to the Royal 

 Society, several times this amount is expended each year 

 upon stationery alone used by members of the House of 

 Commons. 



The politicians who pay themselves a salary for the 

 time they devote to party tactics and personal persiflage, 

 would be astounded if the proposal were made to provide 

 for the support of Fellows of the Royal Society or of any 

 other scientific institution, yet of the relative values to 

 the nation of the work done in the two spheres of politics 

 and science, there can be no question. In a splendid 

 building and surrounded with all the appurtenances of 

 precedent and dignity, months and years are wasted 

 in a game of finding weak points in arguments relating 

 to subjects many of which are of doubtful national 

 importance ; while the scientific elect of the country 

 are crowded in modest apartments to discuss discoveries 

 which it has cost them much time and frequently much 

 money to complete, and for the publication of which 

 they must themselves make provision. It requires the 

 satire of a Swift to describe the disparity of support 

 afforded to polemics and natural philosophy by a State 

 that owes most of its modern advance to apostles of 

 scientific truth. 



