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Anniversary Meeting. 



[Nov. 30, 



exclusiveness would deprive us of much, useful service, and seriously 

 interfere with the representative character in which our strength 

 lies. I think we ought to be in touch with the whole world of science 

 in the country, and constitute a microcosm answering to that macro- 

 cosm. Those who are in favour of making a change observe that the 

 limit of fifteen was fixed nearly forty years ago ; that the number 

 of those who occupy themselves seriously with science and attain a 

 position which would undoubtedly have brought them into the 

 Society at that time, has increased and is constantly increasing ; and 

 that it is undesirable that we should be compelled to leave out of our 

 body, year after year, persons whom we should be very glad to see in 

 it. On the other hand, it is to be recollected that a change once made 

 can hardly be revoked, and that, in view of the importance of such a 

 step, the Society will do well to make sure of the consequences before 

 taking it. 



I have thought it desirable to raise the question, not for the purpose 

 of suggesting any immediate action — for my personal opinion is that, 

 at present, no change is desirable — but in order that the attention of 

 the Fellows may be directed to a matter which I think is sure to 

 come before them in a practical shape before many Anniversaries go 

 by. And, whenever that time arrives, I think another problem may 

 possibly offer itself for solution. Since this Society was founded, 

 English-speaking communities have been planted and are increasing 

 and multiplying in all quarters of the globe — to use a naturalist's 

 phrase, their geographical distribution is "worldwide." Wherever 

 these communities have had time to develop, the instinct which led 

 our forefathers to come together for the promotion of natural know- 

 ledge has worked in them and produced most notable results. The 

 quantity and quality of the scientific work now being done in the 

 United States moves us all to hearty admiration ; the Dominion of 

 Canada, and our colonies in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, 

 show that they do not mean to be left behind in the race ; and the 

 scientific activity of our countrymen in India needs no comment. 



Whatever may be the practicability of political federation for more 

 or fewer of the rapidly growing English-speaking peoples of the globe, 

 some sort of scientific federation should surely be possible. Nothing is 

 baser than scientific Chauvinism, but still blood is thicker than water ; 

 and I have often ventured to dream that the Royal Society might 

 associate itself in some special way with all English-speaking men of 

 science ; that it might recognise their work in other ways than by the 

 rare opportunities at present offered by election to our foreign Fellow- 

 ship, or by the award of those medals which are open to everybody ; 

 and without imposing upon them the responsibilities of the ordinary 

 Fellowship, while they must needs be deprived of a large part of its 

 privileges. How far this aspiration of mine may be reciprocated by 



