CORRRSPONDINO .'lOCIKTIKS, 573 



the way nf orgaiiisod tours. I will t.ike a case in point. Until ccvtiiin of the 

 .societies tenipuraiily suspended their meetings, we were able to send our lecturers 

 on successive evenings to societies at Teignmouth, Liskeard, Launceston, Exeter, 

 Taunton, and Bridgwater, and in each of these cases lecturers were secured at 

 fees which would otherwise have been impossible. 



The scheme is at present undeveloped in certain directions, and I would 

 mention that we intend to broaden its scope and include more pliysics and 

 chemistry, as well as science as applied to the home and to various industries. 

 We should natirrally welcome any suggestions towards an improvement of these 

 efforts, and at the same time should be pleased to be of assistance to local 

 societies. 



In conclusion, I suggeet, as the basis of discussion, certain concrete steps 

 which could be taken to carry out the needed changes : — 



1. The objects of the various societies should be carefully scrutinised to see 

 whether any alterations in the rules are necessary in order to widen the scope 

 of their activities. 



2. A central bureau for the supply of lecturers should be established in order 

 that profes.sional or other competent lecturers could be at the service of the 

 societies, regulating their visits in a manner which would comi^ensate them 

 for their services, and be within the financial scope of the societies. 



3. Where the funds of the society will not permit of direct payment of fees, 

 the difficulty of raisin^ the necessary expenses can be overcome by dividing 

 the meetings into two classes : {") special members' evenings for discussion of 

 local or advanced topics; (b) popular evenings, to which a charge for admission 

 could be made, and the public admitted. This method has been adopted with 

 success iu many societies, including, recently, the Selborne Society. Our sub- 

 scription (five shillings per annum) being manifestly inadequate to meet the 

 expenses of professional lecturers and guides, the lectures and rambles have 

 been subdivided, the members' excursions, under voluntary guidance, being 

 continue<l side by side with a new series of public rambles and lectures under 

 professional leadership. 



Since preparing this paper I have, by the courtesy of Professor Gregory, been 

 able carefully to read the report of his Committee, and as the same is now 

 placed before you I would offer a few criticisms on the suggested recommenda- 

 tion, for I observe that by paragraph 7 of the ' Recommendations ' suggestions 

 are invited. 



The recommendations are as follows : — 



(1) That an annual list of public lecturers on science subjects be prepared 

 and published, with titles of their lectures. No fees should be mentioned in the 

 list, but addresses should be given so that committees organising lectures may 

 make their own arrangements with lecturers. Local scientific societies, museums, 

 and institutions of higher education should be invited to send the names of 

 members of their bodies prepared to deliver lectures to similar bodies elsewhere 

 without fee other than travelling expenses, and the names of such voluntary 

 lecturers should be indicated in the list by a distinguishing mark. 



(2) That committees organising public science lectures should include rejirc- 

 sentatives of as manv interests as possible, such as Municipal Corporations, 

 Trades Councils. Co-operative Societies. Religious Bodies, University Extension 

 Committees, Chambers of Commerce, Educational Institutions, local Scientific 

 Societies, and like organisations concerned with the daily work and intellectual 



life of the district. ,,.,..,• a t, „„j ♦!,„ 



(3) That to extend interest in science, and belief m its influence, bejond the 

 narrow circle of serious students, increased use of the bioscope in illustrating 

 natural objects, scenes, and phenomena is desirable; and •'\"^, ''^PPe^l f «"''', '^^^ 

 made to the interests of all classes of the community by addresses intended to 

 show the relation of science and scientific method to national life and modern 

 development. ^^^ propaganda of efficiency through science, local com- 

 mittees should endeavour to secure financial support from manufac urers and 

 ^Tth" s affected by national progress, and that lora ^"^f ""^escrinC kind' 

 asked to provide funds to enable free popular lectures of a descnptne kind, 



