NATURE 
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1870 
A BUILDING FOR THE LEARNED SOCIETIES 
ge Statistical Society has done good service to the 
cause of science in convening representatives of the 
learned societies, to consider whether it would not be 
possible to obtain a building for their accommodation 
worthy of the high position they occupy in this great 
metropolis. At this moment several societies are under 
notice to quit, others scarcely know where to look for 
shelter, and many more are utterly unable to find suffi- 
cient room for their libraries, instruments, and museums, 
though they pay a large portion of their income in rent 
and taxes. Itis calculated that, jointly, upwards of 2,000/.a 
year is now paid in rent, enough, one would think, if pro- 
perly managed, to supply most ample accommodation for 
very many societies, to say nothing of the great economy 
in service that would result from the joint occupation of a 
proper building. But so long as nothing is done to bring 
about some understanding and co-operation among the 
different societies, the evil is irremediable. Nor is it 
purely a question of finance. Many abstain from joining a 
learned society when its place of meeting is either incon- 
veniently situated, or-altogether too small for the usual 
attendance at the ordinary meetings. Not a few mem- 
bers of more than one society are unnecessarily driven 
from one place to another. The libraries for reference 
are not half utilised. Co-operation among men of science 
is almost impossible, and the action of each society is 
rendered thereby comparatively feeble and ineffective. 
On every ground, whether of convenience, economy, or 
utility, the learned societies would do well if they could 
combine in erecting a building sufficiently capacious for 
their joint accommodation. 
Some learned societies have no reason to complain. 
The Royal Society, the Linnean, the Royal Astro- 
nomical, the Geological, the Chemical, the Society of 
Antiquaries, and a few others, are well accommodated, 
and a solid structure is being raised for them in Picca- 
dilly. Those whose wants are yet to be supplied are 
the Statistical Society, the Institute of Actuaries, the 
Mathematical, Meteorological, Ethnological, Anthropologi- 
cal, Geographical, Archzeological, and Juridical Societies, 
the Social Science Association, and as many more; and 
it is for them to consider whether it is better to go on as 
they are doing, paying one, two, or four hundred pounds 
a year each for their present rooms, or whether they 
would not do better by combining together for the erection 
of a proper building for them all. In calculating how many 
societies could unite for such a purpose, we must take 
into account the kindred character of their labour and 
inquiries. The statisticians, actuaries, and mathemati- 
cians might well meet together, and so it would be fitting 
that the antiquaries and archzologists should have a com- 
mon habitation. But not so those that have nothing in 
common, Then the number of members and the space re- 
quired for meetings, libraries, and museums are important 
elements. The Geographical Society, with its map- 
rooms and extensive library, would require space enough 
for a dozen other societies. And further, the frequency 
of meetings must be considered, whenrat the most only 
VOL. II. 
2 
three or four commodious halls could be secured in any 
one building. We scarcely imagine, in fact, that any large 
number of societies could well be united in one building, 
and that will be a source of difficulty, especially in a 
financial aspect. 
But why should there be any financial difficulty ? 
Surely the erection of one or more buildings for purposes 
of science is a duty which may well rest with the Govern- 
ment. Nowhere does the State do so little for science 
as in this country. The estimates for 1870-71 give the 
entire sum to be applied to the learned societies at 
2,370/.—a sum distributed among very few of them. Of 
this 5007. goes to the Royal Geographical Society, to 
provide suitable rooms in which to hold their meetings, 
and to exhibit to the public, free of charge, their collec- 
tion of maps ; 300/. is given to the Royal Society of Edin- 
burgh ; 500/. to the Royal Academy of Music ; and 7o/, 
to the Irish Academy of Music. In addition to this 
160,000/. are appropriated to a building for certain learned 
societies in Burlington House; but it will serve for 
very few of them; and if we are rightly informed, the 
Government will reoccupy all the buildings in Somerset 
House now used by learned societies. 
The chairman of the meeting at the Statistical Society 
stated that communications had passed between himself 
and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that no en- 
couragement whatever was given for any application of 
this nature. But it is the clear duty of the societies not 
to rest satisfied with this, but to get a decided expression 
of opinion on the subject. By no means should the 
most natural and proper channel for obtaining the requi- 
site sum for a building so essential to the well-being of 
the country be neglected. 
But supposing the Government should turn a deaf ear 
to the application of the learned societies, are there no 
means available within these bodies themselves for getting 
the amount? It has been estimated that the probable 
cost of a building sufficiently commodious, though not 
ornamental, in some eligible locality near Charing-cross, 
will be, with the ground-rent, 30,000/. to 40,0007. Why 
should not a joint-stock company be formed for the pur- 
pose, and a large number of shares be taken up by the 
members of the societies interested ? Some societies have 
moreover an accumulated fund of considerable impor- 
tance. The Geographical Society has, it is understood, 
upwards of 20,c00/. What more natural than to apply 
such investments in a palace of science, with an income 
so well guaranteed by the rental of the learned societies ? 
The financial part of the question must be carefully but 
fearlessly approached. No insurmountable difficulties 
stand in the way of obtaining any reasonable amount 
for such a purpose. 
What we want is a prompt and vigorous action on 
the part of the learned bodies. Heaven helps those 
who help themselves. The delegates at the meeting at 
the Statistical Society unanimously resolved in favour 
of co-operation on the subject, but by an unfortunate 
introduction of too cautious a spirit, they let the oppor- 
tunity slip without naming a committee to prosecute 
the necessary inquiries and to digest a suitable scheme. 
Such a committee could not have committed the parties 
to any course of action. Its object would have been 
to place the proposal on a’ practical basis, so as to 
Cc 
