The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-18 00:00:00

SCIENCE AND THE GOVERNMENT.

It will be remembered that a special parliamentary
committee of the British Auociation for the Advancement
of Science was lately charged to inquire " Whether any
measure could be adopted by the government or parliament
that would improve the position of science or its cultivators
in this country ?" This committee--of which Lord Wrot-
tesley was chairman—has collected from men of science a
body of interesting information, which has been embodied
in the form of a report—which report will be presented to
the members of the British Association in Glasgow.
It appears that though the committee have endeavoured
to elicit opinions from members of their own body, and
from many eminent cultivators of science, they have the
gratification of discovering that none of the suggestions of-
fered, or changes proposed, are of such a nature as to im-
pose any serious difficulty on government, parliament, or
the Universities, were they at once to concede all that is
asked.

Such of the above suggestions as they think deserving of
the serious and earnest attention of government, parliament,
and the universities, and which may be termed their desi-
derata, are summed up in the following propositions
let. That reforms shall take place gradually in the system'
of say of our universities which do not at present enact a
certain proficiency in physical science as a condition pill-
misery to obtaining a degree.
2ndly. That the number of professors of physical science
at the universities shall be increased, where neceseary ; but
that at all events, by a redistribution of subjects, or other
arrangements, provision should be made for effectually
teaching all the various branches of physical science.
3rdly. That professors and local teachers shall be appointed
to give lectures on science in the chief provincial towns, for
whose use philosophical apparatus shall be provided ; and
that arrangements shall be made for testing by examination
the proficiency of t►ose who attend such lectures.

Chly. That the formation of museums and public libraries
in such towns, open to all classes, shall b• encouraged and
assisted in like manner as aid is now given to instruction in
the principles of Art ; that all imposts shall by degrees be
abolished that impede the diffusion of scientific knowledge;
and inch donations of national publications be made as above
mentioned.

6thl7. That more encouragement shall be given by fellow-
ships, increased salaries to professors, and other rewords, to
the stady of physical science.

_ .
Thst an alteration shall be made in the present
system of bestowing pensions; some annuities in the nature
of good-service pensions be granted; and additional aid be
given to the prosecution, redaction, and publication of
scientific researches.

7thly. That an appropriate building, In some central
situation io London, shall be provided at the cost of the
nation, in which the principal scientific societies may be
located together.

Btbly. That scientific offices shall be placed more nearly
on a level, in respect to salary, with such other civil ap-
pointments as are an object of ambition to highly educated
men ; that the officers themselves shall be emancipated
from all such interference as is calculated to obstruct the
melons performance of their duties; and that new scientific
offices shall be created in some cases in which they are
required.

9thly. That facilities shall be given for transmitting and
receiving scientific publications to and from our colonies
and foreign parts.
10thly, and lastly. That a Board of Science shall be coa-
-1 stituted, composed partly of persons holding onion under
the Crown, and partly of man of the highest eminence in
science, which shall have the control and expenditure of the
greater part at least of the public funds given for its ad-
vsncement and encouragement, shall originate applications
for pecuniary or other aid to science, and generally per-
form such functions as are above described, touether with
such others as Government or Parliament may think fit
to impose upon it.

The Duke of Rutland is about to receive a select
party of friends st Longsbawie.

The Duke of Northumberland has given 1001. to
the fund of the ancient church of St. Mary's, at Berwick.
The Archbishop of Armagh and Mrs. Dunbar,
who have been on a visit to Lady Elizabeth Reyna% have
returned to town from Sussex. His Oran departs in a few
days for the archiepiscopal palace at Armagh.

The Marchioness (Dowager) of Londonderry is at
Wynyard-park, neer Stoekton•on-Tees. Her Ladyship
leaves there in the course of the ensuing week, for (Wren
Tower, her Ladyship's seat in Ireland.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston left town
yestsrdey afternoon, for Bnsedlsnits, Hants.

. . ,
Lord and Lady Wharncliffe and the Hon. Miss
Wortley have arrived at Wortley Hall, Yorkshire, ler the
autumn.

The Hon. E. and Lady Susan Stuart Wortley and
the Hon. George and Lady Louisa Lamellas have joined tue
family circle amembled at Harewood Hall, Yorkshire, visit-
ing the Earl and Coaster of Harewood.

Sir William and Lady Molesworth left town for
Peaearrow.near Bothnia, yesterday.

Lord John Russell left Rdinburgh by the express
train for London on Thursday morning.

Lord Aberdeen is at present on a visit to the Earl
of Haddington, Tynloghaote, But Lothian. Both noble
Lards attended envies In the parish, Whitekirk, last
Sunday.

Mr. A. J. B. Hope will meet the Conservative
aleeton of Maidstone at the Corn Ezehsoge on Monday
eriniag nest.

The will of the late J. H. Vivian, Esq., M.P., for
Swam*, has been proved in London under 200,0001. per-
sonalty; and that et the late Lord Dudley Stuart, M.P.,
ander 80,0001.

The Royal Yacht Equedron Regatta was held at,
the Squadron-house, C 0..., on Thursday night, and wee
more numerously and fashionably attended than for many
jean past. The costumes worn by the ladies were of the
most tasteful and elegant description, and it was a most
brilliant assemblage.

The foundation ••stone of a new assize-hall, judge's
lodgings, ite., has been laid at Taunton by the lore-lieute-
nant of the county, Lord Portman.
_ _

The prospect;, hes been issued of a new cemetery
company, incorporated by act of parliament, and by whom
1160 acres of land have been secured seven miles from Lon-
don, near the Colney Hatch station of the Great Northern
Railway. The capital ie to be 150,0001, in 61. shares, and
the title is " The Gnat Northern Cemetery Company."
We (Atheneum) have reason to believe that des-
perate attempts are being made to re open her Majesty's
Theatre neat year.

We (Yorkshire Gazette) have much gratification in
congratulating ear sporting friends on the rich store of
amusement which the programme of our York August meet•
lug affords. When we state that upwiuds of 1,700 cove. are
added to the various stakes, we at once give an assurance
that the committee have dealt with the funds at their dis-
posal in no niggardly spirit. The interior of the grand
stand has been decorated at considerable expense ; the exit
rior has also been painted, as also the elegant iron palisades
which form the enclosure. Upwards of 40W. have been
expended since the last August Meeting in improving the
course, and upwards of 1,000 yards of new railing have been
erected. The °purse is in the finest possible order, and the
committee have brought all the arrangements now ea nearly
to perfection as ingenuity and liberality con devise.

The Crimean medal was distributed yesterday by
the Commandant of Portsmouth garrison to toe invalids in
the Military Hospital, Parties, whose names were selected
by the Queen at her Majesty's late visit. It was 'melancholy
to remark the number of mane willed over on parade for
whose owners the Royal distinction came "too late"—
" dead " being the disheartening response.

The death of Henry Colbore: EN., the eminent
publisher, at hit reef dm', Bryanston4quars, is announced.

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