38 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. ' 
Now, at the very beginning, the impression was conveyed by 
those astronomers who are supposed to be officially connected 
with the Government, that it would be only as by an act of 
grace that Government aid would be granted. Those who were 
present at the meetings of the Astronomical Society, for 
example, when the subject of these expeditions was mooted, 
were painfully struck by the tone which pervaded the official 
communications addressed to that body. Astronomy appeared 
in the light of an importunate beggar about to renew her 
troublesome applications ; while, though a hope was expressed 
that some assistance might be wrung from the Government, it 
was left to be clearly understood that the grant would be re- 
garded as an act of great grace and condescension. 
It is necessary, indeed, to point out that in all this a grave 
injustice was done to the Government. The real opinion of 
those in power was never really ascertained until much later. 
But whatever the cause may have been, certain it is that the 
impression conveyed during these preliminary discussions was, 
that Science — as represented for the nonce by Astronomy — 
had occasion to approach the powers that be in the garb of 
humility and self-abasement, to plead very earnestly if she 
would gain a small modicum of help, and to be well content 
with whatever the Government might be disposed to give her. 
This, let us proclaim it at once and loudly, is not the 
proper attitude for Science. If she must needs come as an 
applicant, she should come as the Sibyl of old, giving clear 
intimation that what she offers is worth more, a hundred-fold, than 
what she demands. She should come as conscious that what 
she asks is to be the benefactress of the human race. To quote 
Professor Tyndall’s noble words : — 66 Science does not need 
the protection of men in power, but desires their friendship on 
honourable terms. By continuing to decline the offered hand, 
they will be invoking a contest which can have but one result. 
Science must grow. Its development is as necessary and as 
irresistible as the flowing of the tides, or the motion of the 
Gulf Stream. It is a phase of the energy of Nature, and as 
such is sure, in due time, to compel the recognition, if not to 
win the alliance, of those who now decry its influence and dis- 
courage its advance.” 
But so timid were the men of science to whom the task of 
approaching the Government fell, that their voice was for 
many weeks — invaluable weeks — altogether unheard. It 
pleased them in the first place to apply to the wrong depart- 
ment, and in the wrong way. Certainly the mode of applica- 
tion was that which had been adopted in former years ; but 
there have of late been changes, and the old mode of applica- 
tion was as little likely to be effective as the plan of posting 
