Noll's and Coninwiits. 287 



of it, and who would cease to hold, or never have held, the 

 positions of authority or emolument which they now occupy, 

 were scientific knowledge of the matters with which they 

 undertake to deal required of them. This is a thorny subject, 

 and one in which, however much one may endeavour to speak 

 in general terms, it is difficult to avoid causing- personal 

 annoyance. Yet it seems to me one which, believing as I do 

 that it is of most urgent importance, it is my duty as your 

 President to press upon the attention of the members of the 

 British Association. Probably an inquiry into and discussion of 

 the neglect of science and the questionable treatment of scientific 

 men by the administrative departments of Government, would 

 be more appropriate to a committee appointed by the Council 

 of the Association for this purpose than to the Presidential 

 Address. 



' At the sane time, I think the present occasion is one on 

 which attention should be drawn in general terms to the fact 

 that science is not gaining ' advancement ' in public and official 

 consideration and support. The reason is, I think, to be found 

 in the defective education, both at school and university, of our 

 governing class, as well as in a racial dislike among all classes 

 to the establishment and support by public funds of posts which 

 the average man may not expect to succeed by popular clamour 

 or class privilege in gaining for himself — posts which must be 

 held by men of special training and mental gifts. Whatever 

 the reason for the neglect, the only remedy which we can 

 possibly apply is that of improved education for the upper 

 classes, and the continued effort to spread a knowledge of the 

 results of science and a love for it amongst all members of the 

 community. If members of the British Association took this 

 matter seriously to heart they might do a great deal by insisting 

 that their sons, and their daughters too, should have reasonable 

 instruction in science both at school and college. They could, 

 by their own initiative and example, do a good deal to put an 

 end to the trifling with classical literature and the absorption in 

 athletics which is considered by too many schoolmasters as that 

 which the British parent desires as the education of his children. 



OLD AND NEW LP:CTURE SOCIETIES. 



' It is a fact which many of us who have observed it regret 

 very keenly, that there is to-day a less widespread interest than 

 formerly in natural history and general science, outside the 



1906 September i. 



