The Sun.
London, England, 1826-07-11 00:00:00

'.'

SCIENCE AND GOVERNMENT.

In the recently published number of the Edinburgh-
Journal cif Science, there appears a very interesting
description of that splendid piece of scientific work
Thanship, the great achromatic: telescope now placed
in the Observatory at Dorpat, the work of Mr. Frau-
enhofer. This eminent artist, in conjunction with
Guineand, of Neufchatel, has arrived at a peat-

liar process in the manufacture of glass for optical
purposes, - which has hitherto , been completely unri-
valled ;' and the telescope in question is - probably
without an equal. We are led more particularly to
, ..,
this topic from observing the very strong language in
which the writer of ,the article alluded to thinks
proper to conclude his remarks :--,", Such, he observes,
is the description Of- Fratienhofer's telescope, given by
ProfesSor Struve, and we think that no Englishmen
can read it without feelings, of the most poignant re-
gret, that England has, notb' lost her supremacy in
the manufacture cll. Achromatic Telescopes, and the
Government one of the sources of its revenue. In
a.few years she will also lose her superiority in the
manufacture of the great divided instruments for fixed
observatories. When these sources of occupation
for scientific talent declitle, the ' scientific character
of the - country ' must fall along with them ;
and the 'British Government will deplore when
it is too late, , her total ' inattention to the
scientific establishment of the empire. When a great
nation ceases to triumph in her arts, it is no unreason-
able apprehension, that she may cease also to triumph
by her arms."—(Edin. Phil. Jour. IX. 1100—Now,
we must take the liberty of making an observation
upon 'this statement : It is surely somewhat premature
to say, that England " has lost " her superiority,
becatise one single instrument has been made for a
foreign observatory, which is larger than any of the
same kind hitherto made at home • And still more
unaccountable is the prophecy that therefore England
will goon lose the superiority in the Construction of
divided astronomical instruMents: viz, because she is
behind hand in the manufacture of glass :—Q. E. D.
the political forebodings that we may thus cease to
triumph in arms as well as in arts, we can only ima,
gine, found their way into this journal of science, by
mistaking it for the Edinburgh Review. - But, lastly,
the reflections introduced upon our Government 'are,
if possible,: still more unfortunate and unjustifiable ;' if
the writer of the article in question knows any thing
of the proceedings in England relative to these mat-
ters, he can hardly require to be told that, so far from
displaying this " total inattention" to science, our pre-
sent Government, we do not hesitate to say, has done,
and 'is doing, more for science than any other in the
civilized world ; and unfortunately for his argument,
no sooner was the plan prOposed for a Scientific Com-
mittee for improving the manidacture of glass, than it
was ,:most 'promptly and liberally seconded by Govern-1
merit : and an establishment is now, and has been for
some time in active operation, at which trials have•
been assiduously carried on upon scientific principles,
for the production of good glass for telescopes, free
from alt interruption by the Excise; and from the
spe4imena which have been already produced, we have
littls floatation in auguring a% proud a pro-eminence
for bur country in this as in, other branehea of scientific,
art: Andit must indicate either the most entire ig-
norance, or the most stupid prejndice, not to acknow-
ledge that astronomy is Cultivated by a rapidly increag-
Mg number, both of public and private observers, in
this country ; and' that the general
,and increasing dif-
fusion of taste for itasublime pursuits, is such, as to
afford ample patronage for the abilities of .those un-
merous scientific artists, in whom this country pre,..
eminently abounds; , -. , ' ! '
. . . .

06t6'ilANk4:'

Mr. liunt,on passing through Somerset during the elec-
tion, gave notice in several towns, that he was determined
to set up banks all through the country ,for the payment ef
ountry notes in gold, and has so far commenced operations
in this way, as to take a house lathe town of Glaston-
bury, where he is Lord of the Manor, and to have paint-
ed over the door " Gold Bank,"

At Wincanton, where. Mr. Messiter,' the -Treasurer to
the County,, had a banking-house, Mr.-Hunt paid a visit,
and addressed between four and five thousand people upon
this amongst other topics. Mr, Messiter thought proper
upon the occasion to address the inhabitants and Mr. Hunt.
Mr. Iltiarr-,-1 believe the people of Somerset know,
that I never broke my word with them.--(Cries of,
Never.)—Well, as sure as yoti stand there (to Mr. IVles.
liter) broiling in the sun, you and I will keep bank to-
gether in this town, and we will keep up, a. constant com-
munication (together.—(Laughter.).—Some
,people have
dared to call me disloyal. Is this disloyal ? Is it not
who benignly intend to
iseeZdiantt ahe one pound ttp,lpoid"enonmetelsginta'dually out of eirculatien ?
Why, the world will imagine that l am an agent for 09.,
vernment, lam so active in seconding their views. But
I have another good object in •view, iceharitable object.—
(Cheers and laughter.)—The one pound notes must be
all in within two years, I think, according to the Act of.
Parliament, and I shall begin to pay off, with the blessing
of God, as 60011:81; possible, in order not only to show my
respect for the law, but to manifest my regard for the
character of the several establishments: amongst you.—
. (Laughter.)—Wherever there is a rag bank I shall set
up a gold bank, and you, may all come to my hank, for
shall have two doors to it, without being. seen by the
rag" gentlemen. .
At Wells Mr. Hunt met with some difficulties when lie
went to address the freeholders. Before he reached the
town he was told that the Somerset Inn, .where he used
to be received with open arms, could not accommodate
him. Not at all surprised or hurt at this appearance of
Contempt, he cleave up to the Somerset.lnn—no hind-
ford, no waiter'' no hostler appeareit He jumped out of
his carriage with his friends, and walked into the
The landlord then stepped up to hiln, and civilly assured
him, that all the robins were engaged, and principally by
clergymen and magistrates. ".011, very well, tails have
a table in this ball ; it is cool mid pleasant, and the clergy
May keep their rooms." The landlord repeated his apo-
logy, and -said that really Mr. Hunt could not be. aecom.
Modated in his hotaie "Here are sovereigns," said he,
(pulling out his purse) must .htive the hest eating
and drlukigYPu
Yourrhouse
me."ci Aga, and 1 dare you to re.
fuse to accommodate The landlord was terrified
at the resolute tone of the Candidate, and immediately
,showed him into an excellent room, where every thing he
required was served up to him. He then sent to the
crier, and ordered him to bell abmit the town that he
would address the freetuilderii of the county m the Cathe-
-4 o'clock. No sooner was this
akhriodwcnhatoptthere:
dral.yard, at
ecclesiastical antherities, tbitrt Mthr.atHouinvti4:asse:V:irteedhiliip:hat:
by messenger, who presented him with a note contain.:'
fug tehxl3(:eoszlgiinaerits of the resident
not be interruptedre.r"Tnot twhi.iBsha verbal aU
ed, -stating, that Mr. Hunt never 'repliel4(Telt.olvaa=l::;
correspondents; that he should, however, take. gam not
to interrupt Divine Service He was giyeo to ;under-
stand, that he might expect some interference in thet Cat
thedral-yard; but he *Mi. punctual; and addressedliteadY
8,000 people from the top of the wall opposite to the
Dean and Chapter's house, for an hour and forty minutes.