of advancing Science, 



8107 



in London, at least, as the writer is aware, is contemplating a similar 

 step. 



The next important advance was as follows. It being considered 

 of the last importance that the sanction and co-operation of ship- 

 owners should be obtained, a meeting was convened in the Mayor's 

 parlour, Town-hall, Liverpool, at which some of the most influential 

 shipowners of that port were present, as well as the Chairman and 

 Secretary of the Mercantile Marine Service Association, Mr. T. M. 

 Mackay, of the firm of James Baines and Co. (a gentleman ever ready 

 to co-operate in every scheme for the good of seamen), occupying the 

 chair. The meeting having been informed of the nature and progress 

 of the movement, and the subject having been discussed, the gentlemen 

 present promised their support, both nominal and pecuniary if it were 

 required ; and the Mercantile Marine Service Association were 

 requested to draw up some form of certificate as a reward for industry 

 and diligence in any of the departments in which it is anticipated that 

 they can be serviceably employed, this certificate to be signed by persons 

 of influence to be afterwards decided upon. The Association has since 

 then given the matter their attention, and they propose to request the 

 co-operation of such scientific bodies as may wish to avail themselves 

 of the advantages offered in this direction, and to invite them to draw 

 up carefully prepared and lucid statements of the special subjects they 

 may wish to have investigated. 



There can be no doubt whatever that it is to the rising generation 

 of seamen that we must chiefly look for the fruits of any scheme of 

 improved education which may be adopted in the present day, and 

 such establishments as the " Conway " training frigate, in the Mersey, 

 are most powerfully useful to that end ; still, iu order to collect together 

 the elements of scientific industry and laudable ambition which doubt- 

 less exist scattered among the present body of merchant officers, it, is 

 proposed, as a beginning, to offer a certificate of merit to such com- 

 manders as hold the extra certificate of the marine board, or who keep 

 the meteorological log-book supplied by the Observatory, or who show 

 in various other ways a desire to improve their minds and to encourage 

 industry in those under their charge. 



Enough has now been said and done to prove that there is a current 

 at work setting in the right direction, and we can only now leave the 

 matter to time, feeling fully assured that it will go on, and bear ulti- 

 mate fruit both in the advancement of Science, and in the elevation of 

 the character of the merchant seaman. 



