21—1846.] 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE, 
339 
GROOM, Crarnam Rise, near LowpoN (By 
© APPOINTMENT Frorist ro Her Masesty THE QUEE 
To His Masesty tue Kine or Saxony), begs to say his 
Catalogue of GERANIUMS, AURICULAS, LILIUM LANCI- 
FOLIUM, and NEW PLANTS is ready, and will be forwarded 
by post on application. 
H, G. has a fine stock of CARNATIONS and PICOTEES. 
His Anemones are now in flower, and may be viewed every day 
from 9 o'clock until 6, Sundays excepted. Admittance Gratis. 
*,* Foreign orders executed, 
MEETINGS FOR THE TWO FOLLOWING WEEKS. 
Moxpay, May 25—Linnean (Anniversary). . . 1 Pa 
MRDNRSDAY, — i $ E B B B 
on 
8 ra 
Av, June l 8 Pat 
Tumpay, ^ — Pint, 
Fray, 8 rac. 
osati ©.” con wher sy, pe 
COUNTRY SHOW, 
Wronespay, May 27—Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural. 
Tur plague of Wasps is not the only one with 
which the gardener will this year have to contend. 
We hear of nothing but the mischief which Srvas, 
‘Swarts, and Insects are doing, as might have been 
expected after so mild a winter. Peas, Carrots, 
Onions, are disappearing before their advance, and 
unless some effectual means can be found to stop 
them, a good many people seem likely to have no 
crops left. 
We strongly advise all those who are attacked by 
slugs to try the effect of lime-water, which does not 
at all injure any crop, and immediately destroys the 
animal. To make the application efficient, it is, 
however, necessary to use it late in the evening and 
very early in the morning, say at daybreak, when 
the slugs are feeding. A couple of applications of 
lime-water has completely exterminated legions of 
slugs beneath our own eyes 
"Tur confinement of English University Epu- 
CATION within the narrow bounds of classieal and 
mathematicalstudies is one of those remains of 
medieval society which even Young England her- 
self repudiates, It was a wise system when no 
other branches of positive knowledge were acces- 
sible ; but it is not to be defended in the present 
state of human learning. When Panacrrsus and 
AcnrPPA were chemists, Atprovanp a zoologist, 
and CurPrrPrzn a botanist, natural science was very 
properly excluded from a University curriculum ; 
but the whole aspect of science is changed; the 
chariot wheels of Bacon crushed the Greek philo- 
Sophy; exact observation and severe reasoning 
hurled romance and speculation from their ancient 
throne, and no intelligible reason can now be 
assigned for shackling learning with fetters forged 
in the dynasty of the Tudors. 
A strong feeling of this kind has at last begun to 
manifest itself at Cambridge, and since certain 
branches of Natural History, especially Botany, 
are the main objects of this Journal, we venture to 
trespass upon the patience of our readers with a short 
account of the actual state of affairs in that great 
University ; more especially since the proceedings 
that have been taken have arisen out of the difficul- 
ties incident to the establishment of the new Botanic 
An application by the Botanic Garden Syndicate 
has been made to the Senate of the University of 
Cambridge for pecuniary assistance; and as the 
funds of the University are thought not to be flou- 
rishing, ‘it was proposed to raise the necessary sum 
by levying a tax upon its members. This proposi- 
tion has been rejected by a majority of about three- 
fifths of those in the Senate who voted. And yet 
the burthen sought to be imposed was not particu- 
arly onerous, for Mr. Surrm* tells us that about 
07. a year would be raised by a tax so small as 
not to amount to more than “a coach fare in Lon- 
don—the half-price of a concert—little more than 
the cost of wine at one dinner—the price of a small 
Volume bought, read, and thrown aside—or the 
amount of a few curiosity shows." 
We have no doubt that the non placets had very 
good reasons for their decision, but we agree with 
Mr. Surrn in thinking that, considering the im- 
OLOR us object sought for, it would be satis- 
ew y a e world if those reasons were put in 
En s alleged, indeed, that the great cause of 
* usal was that Government already taxes the 
ambridge degrees ; this, however, must be a 
potions invention. We cannot believe that any 
ambridge man would argue that because degrees 
-are taxed, therefore proper means are not to be taken 
to render candidates worthy of them. On the con- 
trary, one would say that the more a degree costs 
the more should the University strive to render it 
sas its money. 
course there are other reasons, an 
those reasons, when they shall have za siae 
** Address to the Senate on the Subject of the New B i 
Garden» 4 w Botanic 
Tutor of Gonville and Caius College. EL 
bridge, necessary to the education of those who wish | 
to study, are in the same plight as the Botanic) 
Garden. We borrow the following statements | 
from Mr. Surrg's pamphlet :— 
“There is the Fitzwilliam Museum—the collection, 
after so long an expectancy, still detained in a cramped 
space, in a temperature alleged to be seriously preju- 
dicial to the paintings ; objects of art, presented to it, 
carefully preserved for years in their packages, out of 
sight and owt of mind to almostall of us ; and the whole 
without any curator such as a collection of that kind 
and that value ought certainly to have.” 
* The Geological Museum, once in such close durance 
that its existence was for a long time matter of tradi- 
tion, is now installed in a fit and worthy domicile. But | 
what is: the present position of this Museum? It is 
never open. If strangers ring at the bell to ask admis- 
sion, a man appears, or if he be out after other work, 
one of his boys, and ushers the party into the room, 
where they are left to employ themselves in inspection, 
dispersed over the room, as they please. This attendant 
receives day-labourer’s wages, and wears the appear- 
ance of this class ; and that is the only euratorship ex- | 
isting in this quarter. It ought also to be mentioned | 
that, as if to balanee the want at the entrance, there is 
a surplus caution within ; for to the lower part there is 
no access at all, not even to members of the Senate ; 
as if none of us could be trusted to walk about among 
keletons and dry bones. Here, then, is a Museum, a 
fine one, I believe, in its kind, rendered practically 
almost useless to the University ; we were almost as 
well withoutit, as let it be as it is." 
“The Mineralogical Museum.—About the position 
and condition of this Museum exactly the same descrip- 
tion may be given. It is close kept from all inspection. 
A grand pair of folding doors, with panels of plate glass 
above, designed to give a continuous connection both real 
andin appearance to the whole suite, is put up, and im- 
mediately afterwards the doors are locked up, so as to 
break the suite, and the plate-glass is clouded over to 
destroy the continuity of perspective. Who will pre- 
sent objects which they value, to be shut up from view 
and from use, and so wanting all appearance of being 
valued ?” 
* The Botanical Museum is in the same hapless con- 
dition. Tts existence is scarcely known to one in a 
hundred, and a still much smaller number have any 
notion of its contents.” 
“The Puólic Library, too, is shut against a number 
of members of the University, who, nevertheless, ex- 
pressly contribute to the funds of the Library. The 
University has the power to do this, and exercises that 
portion, at least, of the details of systematic Botany. 
On these grounds I should much desire to see Botany, 
or some other branch of Natural History, or Natural 
History in general, introduced as a common element 
into our higher education, and_recommended to the 
study of those who desire to have any clear view of the 
nature of the progressive sciences : since it is, in fact, 
the key and groundwork of a large portion of those 
sciences.” 
We ean add nothing to the cogency of these ar- 
guments. Dr. WurwrLr's experience as a tutor, 
and intelligence as a man, have doubtless taught 
him that the minds of students cannot all be con- 
stituted alike. One young man may have agreat apti- 
tude for languazes, and so may highly distinguish 
himself in classical learning. Another has a more 
mathematical head ; and if we are not misinformed 
cases have actually arisen where men of the highest 
attainments as scholars have been “plucked” in 
mathematics. But others may from natural bias, 
or from professional objects, or for many other 
reasons, incline much more to natural science than 
to either. Weare at a loss to know upon what 
grounds such persons should be prevented from 
following the pursuits that are most agreeable to 
them, or best suited to the peculiar construction of 
their minds. Thè whole aim of early education is 
mental training. The learning of the schools is 
directed to this great end, and to nothing else. 
When a boy is kept for years at classical studies, it 
is not because it will be necessary for him to read 
Pindar or Juvenal; nor is he tied down to difficult 
mathematical reasoning for the sake of understond- 
ing, when he is thrown into the world, the laws of 
equilibrium and motion in a system of material 
points. He may very possibly never look at Greek 
again, and as for molecular motion, he may in time 
even forget the meaning of the words. These great 
branches of education are not enforced for the sake 
of their application, but because of their supposed 
influence upon the human mind. If they fail of 
producing that influence they are useless, and time 
should be otherwise bestowed. That they do fail 
in many cases is notorious ; and therefore it js that 
it becomes so desirable to give youug men some 
choice in the branches of knowledge which they will 
follow for distinction. 
“Every one,” says Professor Hrwsrow,* “who 
has had much experience in preparing pupils for an 
power: and much more cannot be said.” 
Ir. Smrru may well add to these deplorable 
statements that “it seems time to alter this state of 
things.” We trust that the measures now taken by 
some powerful members of the University will ex- 
tend their beneficial influence beyond the walls of 
the New Garden. If it be really true that the 
University is so poor as to be helpless; if its mem- 
bers are so afllicted by penury, parsimony, or sel- 
fishness,. that they cannot afford the few shillings 
annually that are required to infuse some reasonable 
vigour into its scientific institutions, then let them 
represent their miserable condition to the Premier, 
and we venture to hope that his sympathies will be 
enlisted on their side, and that means may be found 
for relaxing the hard gripe of the Chancellor of the 
Exchequer. x 
The writer of these remarks may be thought 
biassed in favour of Natural History, and especially 
of Botany, by his own peculiar pursuits. Instead, 
therefore, of putting forward his own opinions en 
the subject, he prefers to avail himself of those of 
others. What says the Master of Trinity, Dr. 
WnutrwrLL? 
“Ihave said that a portion of the sciences which 
have come into existence in modern times, and which 
are still in progress, should be introduced into a liberal 
edueation, to such an extent as to acquaint the student 
with their nature and principles. It is an important 
inquiry, in determining the proper scheme of a liberal 
education, what portion of science is best fitted for this 
purpose. I have already remarked elsewhere, that 
among the sciences, Natural History affords very valu- 
| able lessons which may beneficially be made a portion 
| of education : the more so, inasmuch as this study may 
serve to correct prejudices and mental habits which 
have often been cherished by making pure mathematics 
the main instrument of intellectual education. The 
study of Natural History teaches the student that there 
may be an exact use of names, and an accumulated 
store of indisputable truths, in a subject in which 
names are not appropriated by definitions, but by the 
condition that they shall serve for the expression of 
ruth. These sciences show also that there may exist 
a system of descriptive terms which shall convey a con- 
ception of objects almost as distinct as the senses them- 
selves can acquire for us, at least when the senses have 
been educated to respond to such a terminology. 
Botany, in particular, is a beautiful and almost perfect 
example of these scientific merits ; and an acquaintance 
with the philosophy of Botany will supply the student 
il o 
Ordinary Degree can bear testimony to the fact of 
there being minds naturally incapacitated for clearly 
and fully comprehending a mathematical problem. 
Now, there are many- persons with this want of 
mathematical ability, who will delightedly occupy 
| themselves in one or other department of the 
natural sciences. It has long appeared to me a 
mistaken policy to bind down such persons to one 
particular routine of dull anxious plodding, without 
allowing them the opportunity, before quitting the 
University, of proving that they have not laboured 
unsuccessfully in the general field of human know- 
ledge.” 
That many men, of sound judgment and enlight- 
ened views, are of opinion that Botany is unsuited 
for mental training we can readily understand. 
This, however, arises from their not being sufficiently 
aware of the real scope of this science, or of the 
manner in which it now is taught. 
“Many persons, both within and without the Uni- 
versities, suppose its objects limited to fixing names to 
a vast number of plants, and to describing and classing 
them under this or that particular ‘system.’ They are 
not aware that systematie Botany is now considered to 
be no more than a necessary stepping-stone to far more 
important departments of this science, which treat of 
questions of the utmost interest to the progress of 
human knowledge in certain other sciences which have 
been more generally admitted to be essential to the 
well-being of mankind. For instance, the most abstruse 
speculations on animal physiology are to be checked, 
enlarged, and guided by the study of vegetable physio- 
logy. Without continued advances in this latter de- 
partment of Botany, the progress towards perfection in 
general physiology must be comparatively slow an 
uncertain. As regards the progress of botanical phy- 
siology, even chemistry itself must be viewed as a sub- 
ordinate assistant, whilst it is making us acquainted 
with those physical forces by which mere brute matter 
is regulated and arranged. Those forces are themselves 
to be restrained and modified by the instrumentality of 
vegetable life, in bodies whose appointed position is to 
prepare all the organic matter that is destined for the 
support of a still higher race of creatures in the general 
scheme of Nature."— Henslow's pamphlet, already cited. 
Of course, if Botany were nothing more than the 
art of drying plants and gluing them on paper, and 
making out their names—if it were what is gene- 
rally called Linnean Botany, and nothing more—it 
would be quite unsuited to the higher purposes of 
tuition, and would be deservedly excluded from 
with a portion of the p p prog 
Sciences, highly important, but for the most part 
hitherto omitted in the usual plans of a liberal educa- 
tion. But the philosophy of Botany cannot be really 
d d without an int with a iderabl 
* « Address to the Members of the University of Cambridge, 
on the Expediency of Improving, and on the Funds required 
for Remodelling and Supporting the Botanic Garden.” By the 
Rev. J. S. Henslow, M.A., St. John’s College, and Professor of 
Botany in the University of Cambridge. 
