32 REPORT— 1895. 



connected with the principal universities in Germany. Three are selected 

 from leading firms in Germany representing mechanical, optical, and 

 electric science, and the remainder are principal scientific officials con- 

 nected with the Departments of War and Marine, the Eoyal Observatory 

 at Potsdam, and the Royal Commission for Weights and Measures. 



This Council meets in the winter, for such time as may be necessary, 

 for examining the research work done in the first division during the 

 previous year, and for laying down the scheme for research for the ensuing 

 year ; as well as for suggesting any requisite improvements in the second 

 division. As a consequence of the position which science occupies in 

 connection with the State in Continental countries, the services of those 

 who have distinguished tliemselves either in tlie advancement or in the 

 application of science are recognised by the award of honours ; and thus 

 the feeling for science is encouraged throughout the nation. 



Assistance to Scientific Research in Great Britain. 



Great Britain maintained for a long time a leading position among 

 the nations of the world by virtue of the excellence and accuracy of 

 its workmanship, the result of individual energy ; but the progress of 

 mechanical science has made accuracy of workmanship the common 

 property of all nations of the world. Our records show that hitherto, in 

 its efibrts to maintain its position by the application of science and the 

 prosecution of research, England has made marvellous advances by means 

 of voluntary efibrt, illustrated by the splendid munificence of such men 

 as Gassiot, Joseph Whitworth, James Mason, and Ludwig Mond ; and, 

 whilst the increasing field of scientific research compels us occasionally 

 to seek for Government assistance, it would be unfortunate if by any 

 change voluntary efibrt were fettered by State control. 



The following are the principal voluntary agencies which help forward 

 scientific research in this country :— The Donation Fund of the Royal 

 Society, derived from its surplus income. The British Association has contri- 

 buted 60,000Z. to aid research since its formation. The Royal Institution^ 

 founded in the last century, by Count Rumford, for the promotion of 

 research, has assisted the investigations of Davy, of Young, of Faraday, 

 of Frankland, of Tyndal), of Dewar, and of Rayleigh. The City Com- 

 panies assist scientific research and foster scientific education both by direct 

 contributions and through the City and Guilds Institute. The Commis- 

 sioners of the Exhibition of 1851 devote 6,000?. annually to science 

 research scholarships, to enable students who have passed through a 

 college curriculum and have given evidence of capacity for original 

 research to continue the prosecution of science, with a view to its advance 

 or to its application to the industries of the country. Several scientific 

 societies, as, for instance, the Geographical Society and the Mechanical 

 Engineers, have promoted direct research, each in their own branch of 

 science, out of their surplus income ; and every scientific society largely 

 assists research by the publication, not only of its own proceedings, but 



