496 REPORT— 1873. 



Dr. Joule^s Statement. 



Ill order to render scientific organization as complete and effectual as a 

 great nation may rightly demand that it should be, it is essential to obtain 

 the authority of and material assistance by Government. This view is 

 evidently in harmony with that which has been adopted by the country 

 respecting national education. Indeed the education of the people in the 

 rudiments of knowledge will prove comparatively useless if the higher 

 developments are not fostered with at least equal care. 



The following are some of the principal objects to be obtained by a 

 more complete organization, for which Government aid is imperatively 

 demanded : — 



1. Observatories for the continual watching of 



a. Astronomical phases. 



b. Meteorological phenomena, including Magnetism of the Earth. 



c. Tides and Sea-level. 



2. Museums for permanent collections of 



a. Specimens in Natural History. 



b. „ Chemistry. 



c. ,, Geology and Mineralogy. 



d. Manufactured products. 



e. Machines, tools, &c. 



f. Scientific Apparatus. 



3. Libraries of books on Science, comprising the Transactions of British 

 and Foreign Societies. 



4. Publication of complete classified catalogues of scientific researches, 

 inventions, and discoveries in this and other countries. 



5. Scientific researches. 



C. Inquiries, at the instance of Government, respecting 



a. Artillery, Ships, Fortifications, &c. ; also 



b. Mines, Adulterations, Sanitary matters, &c. 



7. Scientific Expeditions. 



8. Verification and issue of Scientific Instruments. 



9. Scientific Instruction by 



a. The Foundation of Chairs. 



b. Popular Lectures. 



10. Rewards for discoveries, researches, and inventions. 



The first of the above objects has been treated of by Professor Balfour 

 Stewart. It is most desirable that thoroughly efficient observatories should 

 be established in various localities of the British empire. 



Complete museums and libraries should be founded and scientific instruc- 

 tion provided in all the centres of large populations. It is impossible to be 

 satisfied with national collections in the metropolis only, and with instruc- 

 tion supplied in a few and sometimes ill-chosen localities, when we regard 

 the present wants of society. 



The fourth object has been undertaken by the Royal Society. It is, how- 

 ever, absurd to expect that it can be attained in the completeness which is 

 absolutely essential to the progress of science without the continuous supply 

 of ample funds. 



Government has already done something to promote the fifth object, espe- 

 cially by its grant to the Royal Society. The result has certainly been to 

 encourage further steps in the same direction. The same remark applies to 

 the seventh object. 



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