50 



Mr. R. H. Scott. 



The subscription was headed by donations of 15Z. each from the 

 Marquis of Northampton and Lord Francis Egerton as Presidents 

 respectively of the Royal Society and the British Association ; and the 

 following gentlemen entered their names for sums varying from 5Z. 

 to 10Z. each : — 



Sir John Herschel, Sir John Lubbock, Sir Charles Lemon, Sir 

 H. de la Beche, Sir John Rennie, Lieut. -Col. Sabine, Capt. Chapman, 

 The Rev. Dr. Buckland, Dr. Arnott, Dr. Fitton, Prof. Daniell, Prof. 

 Graham, Prof. M'Cullagh, T.C.D., Prof. Wheatstone, R. L Murchison, 

 Esq., J. Davies Gilbert, Esq., H. F. Talbot, Esq., J. Taylor, Esq., 

 G. Rennie, Esq., J. Evans, Esq., J. P. Gassiot,Esq., and R. Napier, Esq. 



The views of these gentlemen were expressed as follows : — 



" It has frequently been the subject of regret that there does not 

 exist in this country any of those facilities for the encouragement and 

 advancement of physical science which have been so liberally afforded 

 by the Governments of other nations. 



" The Continental philosopher, when he for the first time visits our 

 shores, finds to his great surprise that in the metropolis of this great 

 empire there is not one collection of physical instruments which can 

 afford the slightest idea of the present advanced state of scientific 

 investigation. A few of our establishments for public instruction, 

 indeed, are provided with apparatus for exhibiting the most usual 

 results of experimental philosophy to classes of learners at public 

 lectures, and there are two or three public exhibitions at which 

 some of the most popular and practical results are shown, but the 

 most valuable instruments of scientific researches, particularly those 

 by means of which alone accurate quantitative results can be obtained, 

 are nowhere to be found. It is to be hoped that ere many years have 

 passed a National Physical Museum worthy of the name may be 

 established in London, but as this is an object which we cannot expect 

 to see realized by the private co-operation of individuals, it is proposed 

 to carry into present effect a plan of a more limited nature, which will 

 supply some of the most obvious and urgent existing wants otherwise 

 unprovided for, and which does not seem beyond our means of 

 accomplishing. 



" It is proposed to establish, in connexion with the British Associa- 

 tion, a Physical Observatory. The useful purposes to which it is 

 intended to apply the Building at Kew, to be placed at the disposal of 

 the British Association, are, among others, the following : — 



" 1. It will be a repository for, and place for occasional observation 

 and comparison of the various instruments which the recent discoveries 

 in physical science have suggested for improving our knowledge of 

 meteorology, &c, in order that their relative advantages and defects 

 may be ascertained. 



" A great number of very ingenious instruments have been invented 



