oe 
‘we 
ai 
- to the objects of science, and a removal of any disadvantages of a 
314 Sir David Brewster's ‘Address 
the legislation of Great Britain ; and though some of their more — 
‘obnoxious provisions have since that time been modified or re+ 
expense, and spending years of anxiety and labor, he is ready to 
Scene crime—the printing press. 
among the mss. of Sir Isaac Newtow a written scheme of im- 
proving the Royal Society precisely similar to that which he 
contemplated. Had this idea been realized, it would have been 
but the first-installment of a debt long due to science and the na- 
tion, and it would have fallen to the lot of some more fortunate 
statesman to achieve a glorious name by its complete discharge. 
t has. always been one of the leading objects of the British 
Association, and it is now the only one of them which has not 
been wholly accomplished, “to obtain a more general attention 
public kind which impede its ahbers Although this object is 
not very definitely expressed, * . Harcourt, in moving its 
adoption, included under it the re Niston ‘of the law of patents and 
the direct national encouragement of ‘science, two subjects to 
which I shall briefly direct your attention. In 1 1831, when the 
Association ‘commenced its labors, our patent laws were a blot on 
* 
moved, they are a blot still, less deep in its dye, but equally a stain 
upon the character of the nation. The protection which is s given 
by statute to every other property in Literature ‘and the fine Arts, 
is not accorded to property in scientific inventionsand liscoveries. 
man of genius completes an invention, and after i incurring great 
give the ea agy of it to the: public. Perhaps it is an invention to 
save life—the life- ‘shorten space and lengthen time—the 
aay, guide the commerce of the world through the track- 
an—the mariner’s compass; to extend the industry, in- 
crease ithe power, and fill the coffers of the State—the steam-en- 
varying beats: 2004. to 500/,, are demanded from the Saeetitor ; 
e gift thus so highly estimated by the giver, bears the 
pe 9: of England. The inventor must now describe his in- 
vention with legal precision. If he errs in the slightest point— 
if his description is not sufficiently intelligible—if the smallest 
portion of his invention has been used before—or if he has in- 
cautiously allowed his secret to be made known ‘ two, or even 
to one individual,—he will lose in a court of law his money and 
his privilege. Should his patent escape unscathed from the fiery 
ordeal, it often happens that the patentee has not been remune-— 
rated during the fourteen years of his term. In ‘this ease the” 
State is willing to — his right for five or seven years more ; 
obtain extension only by the expences un 
certain process of an Act of Pariament,—a boon whieh i | 
