1882.J French Reactionism in Science . 591 
The former broods over and tries to revive former conditions, 
real or imaginary, whilst the latter, “ unhasting and un- 
resting,” makes preparation for days to come. On this 
supposition old theories should be upheld in France rather 
than in Germany, and in Ireland and Scotland more than in 
England. In this connection we are reminded that many 
of the most prominent anti-Darwinians in the United King- 
dom are, judging from their very names, of Celtic origin. 
But in opposition to this ethnological hypothesis we must 
remember that the French, in matters other than scientific, 
are by no means apt to reject what is new simply on account 
of its novelty. 
One theory then remains : France is averse to new disco- 
veries because in her, more than in any other country, 
Science has assumed an official character, and is practically 
under the control of an oligarchy. Such bodies, whether 
national, municipal, ecclesiastical, or literary, have in all 
ages and in all countries been noted for an unreasoning 
conservatism — if we may venture here to use so ill-defined 
a term — and for jealousy of outsiders. The Academy of 
Sciences has most of these unpleasant features. The 
number of its members is absolutely fixed, and no merit can 
open the door to a candidate until there is a vacancy. The 
election of a member requires to be confirmed by the head 
of the State, be he emperor, king, or president. The 
Academy is the especial scientific adviser of the Govern- 
ment ; it has the task of awarding a great number of prizes 
which have been given or bequeathed for merit in various 
branches of science, or for eminent discoveries and inven- 
tions. In other respeCts it possesses, direCtly or indirectly, 
a great amount of patronage. If a college professorship or 
a curatorship is vacant, the opinion of the Academy gene- 
rally decides the appointment. If a scientific expedition is 
to be set forth, the selection of the explorers rests practically 
with the same body. It stands, too, alone. The other sci- 
entific societies of France are comparatively powerless and 
uninfluential, and never even attempt to question the doings 
of the Academy. Indeed to do so is in many quarters con- 
sidered as exceedingly “ bad form.” It will be perceived 
that such powers as are conceded to this learned body are 
exceedingly liable to abuse. Unless its members are actu- 
ated purely by the love of truth they will scarcely be able to 
resist the temptation of using their influence for their own 
aggrandisement : hence an outsider — a young and unknown 
man, or a foreigner — has no small difficulty in securing a 
fair hearing. If he has made investigations which do not 
