[August, 
488 
Report on Scientific Societies. 
of dean, as to be explained below, requiring a constant in- 
fusion of fresh blood. The president or master , being the 
administrator and governor of the college, shall be nomi- 
nated by the Crown, upon a joint presentation of the two 
councils of the Royal Society and the British Association 
The duties of probationers and fellows shall be simply to 
work, the former in order to be admitted as fellows, the latter 
in order to be re-appointed; those of deans, the other 
hand, will be of a twofold nature. In the first place, it will 
be their office to aid and supervise in their work both the 
nrobationers and fellows, each of his own department ; and, 
secondly, each dean will give in each ses , sl0n n °^ 
course of lectures, the subject of which shall be chosen by 
himself, but varied from year to year. It is supposed, more- 
over, as evident of itself, that it will become the dean to 
work also on his own account in order to be re-eleCted in 
his capacity of fellow, which shall remain independent ot 
that of dean. The duties, lastly, of the master, as already 
referred to, shall consist mainly in the government and 
administration of the college, as well as in its representation 
in all external relations. . , .. . , 
I now come to the chief question, How shall the expense 
of this establishment be defrayed ? According to my views 
the British Association, the Royal Society, and the principal 
chartered societies, firstly, should tax themselves to a certain 
amount annually, in order to realise a scheme which I can- 
not but believe is in harmony with and will greatly promote 
the tendency of them all, viz., the advancement of Science. 
In what manner, next, the Government certainly, and per- 
haps also the universities, ought to be induced to contribute, 
both to its maintenance and foundation, is a subject for the 
Commission to deliberate upon. I will only further state 
that I think the college might perhaps be suitably connected 
with the British Association’s establishment at Kew ; and 
that, besides laboratories, it should contain all the necessary 
adjuncts for living furnished by colleges at Cambridge 01 
Oxford. Should the universities be willing to partake in the 
erection and maintenance of the Royal College, of course 
thev ought to enjoy the same rights of presentation as 
awarded to the chartered societies, as also some influence in 
other appointments and elections. 
Believe me, my dear sir, 
Yours sincerely, 
C. K. Akin. 
Prof. Stokes, Sec. R.S. 
