On the Opportunities of advancing Science. 8105 



On the Opportunities of advancing Science enjoijed by the Mercantile 

 Marine. By C. Collingwood, Esq., M.B., F.L.S., &c. 



(Concluded from p. 8098). 



Variety of occupation is no less necessary to the sailor than to 

 other men, and any attempt to debar him from so essential an 

 element in a well-regulated mind cannot fail to be productive of evil. 

 Regarded, therefore, from a philanthropic point of viewr, it is a sub- 

 ject worth inquiring into, whether or not some scheme may be ren- 

 dered feasible, by means of which this opprobiura may be removed. 

 No shipowner will deny that such an amelioration of the seaman's 

 character would be ultimately followed by advantage to his own 

 personal interest ; but that advantage is not to be reaped suddenly. 

 Let us hope that it is not too distant in its prospect to offer the 

 inducement to take some trouble for its accomplishment. 



The direction which I have here supposed the ship-captain's energies 

 to take, is, however, by no means the only one which may be followed 

 with usefulness and advantage. I have made it prominent because I 

 believe it would be, in a vast number of instances, adopted with most 

 useful results; but men's tastes, doubtless, differ considerably, and 

 the study of Natural History would not commend itself to all. Various 

 subjects of study might be followed out as advantageously as the one 

 1 have enlarged upon as a text, and the sciences of physical geography, 

 of geology, — the investigation of meteorological phenomena, of cur- 

 rents, tides, winds, — the study of hydrography, of ethnology, &c., would 

 all receive important accessions from the intelligence which a higher 

 standard of education would develope among our merchant marine. 

 These subjects, however, should all be considered by the committee I 

 have proposed, and a scheme for instruction on board ship elaborated 

 with care, which, in the next generation, would yield ample fruit. 



Some stimulus, however, would undoubtedly be needed to carry on 

 this work ; and the nature of the rewards which should be offered to 

 induce the co-operation of merchant officers should occupy our careful 

 attention and consideration. Among the commanders of the mercantile 

 marine there are many intelligent men who would gladly embrace the 

 opportunity, if it were afforded them, of distinguishing themselves in 

 the walks of Science, and of raising themselves above the level to which 

 they are at present doomed. Whether this stimulus, then, should be 

 of the nature of honorary certificates, pecuniary or honorary rewards, 

 association with scientific bodies already in existence, or of any other 

 VOL. XX. 2 O 



