294 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
chemical experiments are made once or twice in the month. In 
another school, the teacher has a telescope, through which he shows 
to the older boys of his school the moon and larger planets. In 
another school, a small collection of specimens has been formed to 
illustrate the rocks and minerals of the neighbourhood. The chief 
drawback in this matter, next to the want of teachers competent 
and well-disposed, has been the want of suitable text-hooks. But 
I am glad to find from the Secretary of, the Education Committee, 
that this last drawback is being removed, as he has himself been 
preparing Elementary Science School Books, with the assistance of 
Professor Kelland, Professor Balfour, Mr Archer, Mr G-eikie, and 
other eminent scientific men. 
Whilst on the subject of scientific instruction in schools, I can- 
not avoid referring to the very gratifying encouragement given by 
the Gfovernment Department at South Kensington. That encourage- 
ment is very considerable, consisting not only of money rewards to 
pupils and teachers, but also of apparatus and books to schools. 
It is already producing fruit ; for whilst last year, the number of 
schools in Scotland which received these Grovernment grants 
amounted to 24, this year they are 45, being an increase of nearly 
100 per cent. 
Therefore, as these science and art classes in schools are multi- 
plying, a taste for science will no doubt quickly germinate among 
the working and middle classes, thus supplying candidates in 
greater numbers for scientific pursuits and scientific societies.* 
2. The foregoing remarks apply to the aids given indirectly to 
societies. I next notice the amount of aid given directly by the 
State. 
Here it is proper to distinguish the aid given to science classes 
in schools, from the aid given to scientific societies. In the former 
* Since this address was delivered, I see ( Nature , Dec. 22, 1870) that an 
address has been presented by the President of the British Association for 
the Advancement of Science, supported by the office-bearers and an influen- 
tial deputation, comprehending Sir Charles Lyell, Sir John Lubbock, Dr 
Lyon Playfair, and Mr Francis Galton, — to the Vice-President of the Privy 
Council Committee on Education, pointing out the expediency of authorising, 
in the new national elementary schools, systematic instruction in elementary 
science, so as to create a taste among the pupils, whereby they may be in- 
duced to follow out scientific studies in the more advanced schools. 
