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of Edinburgh, Session 1870 - 71 . 
case, aid is given for instruction in facts and principles which are 
already known. In the latter case, aid is given for searching new 
facts and new principles. It is very evident that the latter object 
is all important, if any advances in knowledge are to be made. 
Moreover, it is an object which needs more help from external 
sources. The student who obtains technical knowledge, or the know- 
ledge which fits him for a profitable trade or profession, may not 
unfairly he left to pay the expense of his instruction, in considera- 
tion of the gains which that trade or profession will bring to him. 
With an investigator of scientific phenomena, who hopes to dis- 
cover some new principle, the case is widely different. As bis 
impelling motive is not the prospect of gain, so in nine cases out 
of ten the original discoverer of a new law, or a new principle, or a 
new product, is not the man who ever benefits by it in a pecuniary 
sense. Whilst he sows the seed, others reap the fruit, and yet, to 
procure the seed, probably much capital had to be spent and years 
of study endured, at the sacrifice of both health and fortune. 
Therefore the man who devotes his time to the discovery of new 
truths, and who bravely adheres to that pursuit in spite of diffi- 
culties and embarrassments, is surely a man standing in more 
need of help and encouragement than the engineer or artisan 
or mechanic who is receiving instruction which will enable him 
to follow a profitable profession. If the latter deserves assistance 
from the State, much more should the former. These investiga- 
tors of science are the men of whom a country, when it possesses 
them, should be proud ; and it would be a bad sign of the age if 
such men did not exist, or if no interest was felt about them. 
When ancient Rome was becoming degenerate, the question was 
significantly asked — “ Quis nunc virtutem amplectitur, proemia 
si tollas?” So also it would be a sign of the degeneracy of a 
people, were no one to embrace science, except from the hope 
of profit ; and it would be equally a sign of a degenerate Govern- 
ment, if it refused to encourage men of science and scientific 
societies. 
In all civilised countries such encouragement is given in a 
greater or less degree, and in one form or another. Whether the 
amount of the encouragement given by the British Government 
is sufficient, is a point on which I at present offer no opinion. 
VOL. VII. 2 Q 
