ON THE MERCANTILE MARINE. 123 
usually forwarded. I have also forwarded copies to all whom I know to be 
interested in the subject, and, in the volume of Proceedings, it has passed to all 
the scientific societies in correspondence with the Liverpool Literary and 
Philosophical: Society. Mr. Robert Patterson, of Belfast, has brought the 
subject under the notice of the shipping interest and the Natural History 
Society of that town; and many copies have been circulated in America 
through Captain Anderson (of the R.M.S.S8. ‘ China’), Professor Agassiz, and 
Mr. Wm. Stimpson of the Smithsonian Institution. Among those to whom 
I forwarded copies of the paper was Mr. E. Newman, who reprinted it in 
the ‘Zoologist’ for July and August 1862. The subject has thus been 
brought fairly before the mercantile and scientific public, and the attention 
of a large number of persons has been directed towards it—the general 
opinion being decidedly in its favour, on the score of advantages to be derived 
at once by science and by philanthropy. 
In the autumn of 1861, in conversation with Earl Granville, Lord Pre- 
sident of the Committee of Council on Education, I had an opportunity of 
bringing the subject under his Lordship’s notice, and of explaining to him 
the advantages which we proposed to ourselves: from this scheme, well know-= 
ing the important assistance which his Lordship might afford in case of its 
meeting with his approval. He expressed an interest in the matter, and 
desired to be further informed upon it. On the publication of the paper, 
therefore, at his Lordship’s request, I sent him a copy, and shortly after 
received the following communication :-- 
** Science and Art Department of the Committee of 
Council on Education, 
South Kensington, London, W., Jan. 30, 1862. 
« Srr,—I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Council on Educa- 
tion to request that you will be good enough to furnish me with twenty 
copies of your pamphlet ‘ On the Opportunities of Advancing Science enjoyed 
by the Mercantile Marine,’ to send to all the Navigation Schools under this 
department. “T am, Sir, 
‘* Your obedient Servant, 
“ Norman M‘Leop, 
* Dr. Collingwood, “* Assistant Secretary. 
15 Oxford Street, Liverpool.” 
The next important advance was as follows:—It being considered of the 
last importance that the sanction and cooperation of shipowners should 
be obtained, a meeting was convened in the mayor’s parlour, Town-hall, 
Liverpool, at which some of the most influential shipowners of that port, as 
well as the chairman and secretary of the Mercantile Marine Association, 
were present; Mr. T. M. Mackay (a gentleman ever ready to cooperate in 
every scheme for the good of seamen) occupying the chair. The meeting 
having been informed of the nature and progress of the movement, and the 
subject having been discussed, the gentlemen present promised their support, 
both nominal, and pecuniary if it were required. 
Believing that much might be effected by associating merchant-officers 
with existing scientific societies, in an honorary manner, the reporter, as 
Secretary to the Liverpool Literary and Philosophical Society, brought the 
matter before the council and members. This Society, established in 1812, 
has just celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, and is the oldest scientific society 
in Liverpool. An addition to the laws was duly passed and confirmed, to the 
effect that the Society « be empowered to elect as Associates masters of vessels or 
