lxvi REPORT 1860. 



with science, but this is done on no certain and uniform system ; and 

 there is no proper security that those who are most competent to give good 

 advice on such questions, should be the actual persons consulted. It was 

 partly with the hope of remedying thpse defects and of generally improving 

 the position of science in the country in its relation to the Government, that 

 the Parliamentary Committee of this Association was established ; and it 

 was partly with the same hope that I was induced to accept the honourable 

 office of President of the Royal Society, though conscious at the time that 

 there were very many far better qualified than myself to hold it. Many of 

 those whom I am now addressing are aware of the steps which were adopted 

 by the Parliamentary Committee, and subsequently by the Committee of 

 Recommendations of this Association, for the purpose of collecting the 

 opinions of the cultivators of science on the question, — Whether any measures 

 could be adopted by Government or Parliament that would improve our 

 position ? The question was afterwards referred to and discussed by the 

 Council of the Royal Society, who, on the 15th of January, 1857, agreed 

 upon twelve resolutions in reply thereto. These resolutions recommend, 

 among other things, that Government grants in aid of local funds should be 

 applied towards the teaching of science in schools, the formation of Provincial 

 Museums and Libraries, and the delivery of lectures by competent persons, 

 accompanied by examinations; and finally, that some existing scientific body, 

 or some Board to be created for the purpose, should be formally recognized, 

 which might advise the Government on all matters connected with science, 

 and especially on the prosecution, reduction, and publication of scientific 

 researches, and the amount of Parliamentary or other grants in aid thereof; 

 also on the general principles to be adopted in reference to public scientific 

 appointments, and on the measures necessary for the more general diffusion 

 of a knowledge of physical science among the nation at large ; and which 

 might also be consulted by the Government on the grants of pensions to the 

 cultivators of science. ' I was requested to transmit these resolutions to Lord 

 Palmerston, and also to the Parliamentary Committee of this Association. 

 Since that period these resolutions have been discussed by that Committee ; 

 but partly because some of its most influential members have expressed 

 grave doubts as to the expediency of urging their adoption at all, and partly 

 from the want of a favourable opportunity for bringing them forward, nothing 

 further has as yet been done. I thought, however, that the time was arrived 

 at which it was only proper that I should explain the steps which had been 

 already taken, and the actual position in which the question now stands. If 

 it be true, as some of our friends imagine, that the recognition of such a body 

 as has been above described, however useful it might prove if the public 

 were disposed to put confidence in its suggestions, would only augment that 

 feeling of jealousy which is disposed to view every application for aid to 

 scientific research in the light of a request for some personal boon, to be 

 bestowed on some favoured individual, then indeed its institution would not 



