ON CHEMICAL RESEARCH. 315 



mation aud publication of a list of subjects to be suggested by the leading chemists 

 of our own countrv, aud, if possible, of other countries also, from which younger 

 chemists wishing to undertake a research mii>kt select a subject with the assurance 

 that it wa^ considered new and important. 



" It was thought also that such a list, however meagre and inadequate it might 

 be at the outset, would t' nd to increase as soon as the plan became more widely 

 known, and might ultimately, if chemists of other countries were willing to taka 

 part, become an important feature in a general organization of chemical research. 



"A chemist undertaking the invcstii.-ation of any one of the suggested subjects 

 would send weird to the editors of the list, and might be placed in communi- 

 cation with the chemist by whom the subject was suggested. Each issue of the 

 list, which might be republished ai frequent intervals in some of the chemical 

 journals, would state which subjects had been already undertaken and by whom, 

 and thus the waste of labour wliich sometimes occurs through simultaneous work 

 on the .same subject would be prevented. 



" It has, however, been objected that chemists are not likely to be so prodigal of 

 their ideas as such a scheme supposes, aud may prefer keeping the subjects of 

 researcli which have suggested themselves to their minds for their own or their 

 pupils' investigation. The answer to this would seem to depend upon the answer 

 to the general question, whether the supply of ideas or suggestions for research 

 exi.stiug in the minds of the leading chemists at the present day does or does not 

 largely exceed the number of sldlled hands at theii' disposal. 



" Before, therefore, proceeding to invite j'ou and others to suggest subjects to 

 be placed upon the proposed list, the Committee are desirous of learning whether 

 in your judgment the scheme is likely to succeed, and whether, if the attempt to 

 form such a list is made, you would be willing to contiibute to it ; they would also 

 be glad of any opinions in reference to the matter with which you may favour 

 them. 



" We are, dear Sir, 



" Yours faithfully, 



" A. G. Vbrnon IIarcoubt, 

 " J. H. Gladstone, 

 " E. Atkinson." 



"P.S. Please address your answer. Dr. Atkinson, York Town, Surrey." 



To this Circular only eight written replies were received, of which four may 

 be classed as favourable, namely, those from Mr. Abel, President of the 

 Chemical Society, Prof. Mills, Mr. Bolas, and Mr. 11. Warington ; three 

 as adverse to the scheme, viz. from Dr. Joule, Mr. Hartley, and Mr. Groves, 

 the latter embodying the views of Dr. Stenhouse ; and one as doubtful from 

 Mr. Buckton. 



Among the objections raised to the proposed scheme perhaps the following 

 have been the most general : — 



That suggestions for subjects of research would only be needed by, or be 

 useful to, students and beginners, and that such men would generally be under 

 the guidance of Professors, who would provide them with subjects ; that the 

 suggestion of a subject is generally its least part; that what students really want 

 is guidance and instruction in the art of investigation ; that any one who had 

 originality and power to make a satisfactory research would also be able to 

 find subjects for himself; that facilities and material appliances for research, 

 together with the means of living for those thus engaged, were more pressing 

 wants ; that any one contributing suggestions for research would reserve for 

 his own use the best of them, that is to say, those most likely to give im- 

 portant and satisfactory results. 



Of the letters received, the Committee may perhaps give the following from 

 Mr. Buckton and from Dr. Joule : — 



