342 On the Educational Uses of Museums. 
honor of assisting on board one of Her Majesty’s surveying ships, 
1 witnessed the happiness and profit that resulted from the plea- 
sure taken by a corps of naval officers in scientific pursuits. 
It was supposed that opportunities for scientific instruction such 
as are here afforded would have been appreciated by intelligent 
persons among the middle and higher ranks, having time at com- 
mand. With the exception of a chosen few, the anticipation has 
proved fallacious. Possibly the occult science of table-turning, 
which in these days seems to occupy the place filled by astrology 
in days of yore, has too seriously occupied their thoughts to per- 
mit of chemical, physical, geological, or biologieal studies. In 
London there are several institutions of high character, that offer, 
at reasonable cost, scientific instruction to the so-called ‘“ educa- 
supplied, through the institution of a lectureship on ied Me- 
c s. Itis with feelings of exultation that I venture to allude 
to the manner in which this new post has been filled. pagel 
cession to our corps of so eminent a philosopher as Professor Wil- 
the most eminent of European chemists, for the post until lately 
so ably filled by Dr. Lyon Playfair, is as great a satisfaction to 
ourselves, as it will be a guarantee of good work to the public. 
