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of the Royal Society of London upon the science of the 

 English nation should be of more interest to us, from the 

 circumstance that the constitution of associations for si- 

 milar purposes, among ourselves, will probably much re- 

 semble it, and though recently it has been the subject of 

 much censure, its original operation was altogether benefi- 

 cial. Containing among its members men distinguished 

 in every department of literature and science, it was little 

 liable to error arising from the spirit of system, while the 

 renown and dignity of its character made always an admis- 

 sion to its body, the highest honor which could be con- 

 ferred upon men of learning; and even now, if age have 

 impaired its force, and lessened its usefulnes, it has not 

 fallen without rearing about it a progeny of younger as- 

 sociations, originating perhaps in disappointment or in 

 rivalry, but following in freedom of action and discus- 

 sion, the steps of their distinguished predecessor. — 

 Among them we may notice the British Association, which 

 has now held its seventh annual meeting, and contains 

 near 1900 members. 



The other European Academies are of different organ- 

 ization, having salaries and pensions, and holding gene- 

 rally situations of profit in the administration of the go- 

 vernment. In this way it may happen that men, distin- 

 guished only for the management of affairs, become mem- 

 bers without the necessary scientific attainments. Of 

 this arrangement, also, it may be said, that though it 

 place all the science of a nation at its disposal, and ena- 

 ble it better to support the national industry, and to se- 

 lect from its population those citizens best qualified to 

 execute its projects, either in the arts, in commerce, or 

 in war, it yet lies open to the defect alleged against the 

 old universities, a proneness to act from the spirit of sys- 

 tem, and bring science, which should be always free and 

 growing, into a fixed and immoveable state. That this 

 has not yet been the case among societies so constituted, 

 has been partly owing to the emulation existing among 

 themselves, partly to the very rapid advancement of sci- 



