572 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENOE. — 1916. 



We care concerned here with a discussion as to what the scientific societies arc 

 able to do in this matter. The problem must be approached carefully and with 

 discrimination. Some societies may, find that their organisation enables them 

 to work out their destinies by themselves; others may require lonsiderable 

 help ; others, again, are in a position to give the help required. 



I conceive that to obtain a proper estimate of the value of the meetings of a 

 scientific society their objects must be clearly grouped into two main divisions : 

 (a) They should be the ways of educating the people in scientific thought, 

 presenting by means of lectures or other activities the fundamental principles 

 and modern achievements of science in a manner which will at once arouse an 

 interest and enthusiasm amongst beginners ; (6) they should endeavour to promote 

 and record all local activities in the various branches of thought. Without a due 

 regard for the first object, talent will remain hidden, and the second object 

 becomes difficult or even impossible to attain. 



The difficulties to be met with in seeking an improvement upon the present 

 system are principally three in number : (1) The objects of many societies are so 

 framed by their rules as to limit their activities to local pursuits and debar 

 them from taking up their proper role as popular educators ; (2) where attempts 

 are made to remedy the defect, too much reliance is often placed on amateur 

 lecturers (do not mistake my meaning; a man may be the most learned scientist 

 of his day, but the merest tyro as a popular lecturer), and well-meant efforts 

 lose much of their value by the imperfect or unattractive manner in which the 

 remarks are delivered. Versed in technical lore, a lecturer often forgets that 

 his audience can only, understand difficult problems when explained in simple 

 language and well illustrated by lantern-slides or experiments. As a means of 

 recording local activities this criticism does not apply to the same extent, 

 though I suggest that research work loses some of its value by being inade- 

 quately explained ; (3) the inability of the society to call in the aid of a 

 pi'ofessional lecturer by reason of lack of funds. These difficulties are probably 

 applicable to many societies represented at this meeting. 



There is, further, to be combated the criticism, often made against a pro- 

 fessional lecturer, that he is not always scientifically accurate. If he has had a 

 careful scientific training he should be strictly accurate ; and if he understands 

 his business he should deal with technical points in a clear and simple manner, 

 and should idealise that his audience want to be interested, and not to be com- 

 pelled to listen to facts which do not appeal to them. 



Such being the difficulties which had to be contended with, the iSelborne 

 Society endeavoured to found a scheme which would assist local societies in 

 securing competent popular lecturers, and I would ask the indulgence of this 

 meeting in briefly explaining the steps taken. For some years the Manchester 

 Microscopical Society have organised an Extension Section by which their 

 members are available to lecture to neighbouring societies ; and, taking this 

 scheme as a basis for investigation, it was decided that a similar scheme would 

 only be possible if material changes in the proposals were made ; for we desired 

 to offer the services of our lecturers to any town in the United Kingdom. 

 Apart from other considerations, lack of funds necessitated the employment of 

 professional lecturers. 



Accordingly, we have secured the services of some forty lecturers on natural 

 history and antiquarian topics, all of whom have had considerable experience 

 in lecturing, and synopses of their lectures have been set forth in a published 

 handbook, which is circulated amongst various societies and schools. The 

 scheme was inaugurated at an unfortunate time, i.e., just prior to the outbreak 

 of war ; but, despite the most adverse conditions, it has in a limited way, proved 

 most successful. Experience has shown that there is a great demand for 

 lecturers who are willing to accept moderate fees, but who have the ability to 

 deal with their subject in an adequat-e manner. 



There have been difficulties in getting in touch with the most suitable societies 

 in connection with these lectures, whilst in many cases societies have written to 

 say that, the non-professional character of their meetings having become 

 established, the present time has naturally not been chosen to mal<e a new 

 departure. It i.s, further, essential that if the societies of moderate means are 

 to avail themselves of professional lecturers, the visits must be arranged in 



