Star.
London, England, 1830-07-31 00:00:00

It lENCE.

We gave our renders a short sketch of Mr. BARON/lei tract on
the '• Decline of Science in England," but have never yet accom-
plished what we intended, which was to afford a farther view of the
societies existing in this country for the promotion of the various
branches of science; and of the scientific journals now existing;
partly as the media of communicating the labour of such societies,
and partly of communicating miscellaneous scientific information
from the public generally. The termination of the month, and the
quantity of new literary matter which we know that period intro
duces, render us anxious to avail of this dny to redeem our
pledge, if, even in a superficial and incomplete manner, by running
over a kind of C'at'alogue liaisonstee of the exiting literary and
scientific institutions of the metropolis, which we shall now therefore
execute.

1. The Royal Society.—Of this we have already treated at some
length.
2. The Society of Antiquaries.—The objects and labours of this
society, which was one of our earliest literary societies, ate well
known. With much that is generally important, its transactions
contain a mass of curious information, not perhaps equalled by the
transactions of any other literary society in Europe. It has been
liable to the ridicule of wits, but we peruse its transactions always
with interest. At present we think, perhaps, its communications to
the stock of public information, does not equal previous periods.
3. The Society of Arts.--Some have doubted, we think most
improperly, the utility of this society.. We think it an institution
highly creditable to the country ; and that it is hardly posAhle to
contribute an annual two guineas more to th gratification of the
subscriber.

4. The Royal Institution —This society " lives. breathes, and
has its being;' as far as it is publicly known, through the labours of
Mr. Faraday a n:an who appears formed, most felicitously by na-
ture, as a teacher of experimental science. The Fo Way evening
meetings of this society, are, perhaps, better worth attending, by the
lover of science, than the MOM stately meetings of another more
ancient establishment. At these meetings, Mr. 'Wheatstones
interesting discoveries on Phonics, have been made known to the
public.
6. The London Institution.—This institution, with ample funds,
a fine building, and one of the hest libraries of reference in the
metropolis, never becomes of that importance which might, from
these advantages, be expected. Its lectures are, however, in'
Spring, well attended, and well directed. It has lately imitated the
Royal Institution, by having weekly conversati mi ; but,
from the part of the town in which the establishment is situated,
these meetings fail to become very attractive. In fact, as we
have said, it is Mr. Faraday who gives interest to the similar meet-
ings of the Royal Institution.
6. Royal Society of Literature.—Very little of value has yet
been brought forth by this society. Mr. Sharon Turner has contri-
buted to the transactions some papers of interest; but we conceive
more fanciful than sound. We allude to his etymological papers.
7. Linnean Society.—This is, we believe, in fair repute ; but
we doubt whether the loss of Sir Edward Smyth will be soon sup.
plied to this branch of science. _ _

8. The Royal Asiatic Society—is the counterpart of the Asiatic
Society in Calcutta.—lts objects are important, but its contributions
have not yet been important ; and, indeed, the parent society ap-
pears languid.
9 The Oriental Translation Society, is a more active and more
useful establishment. Its labours are truly of value; and we are
happy to observe the real and ability which it has been partly the
means of developing:in Colonel:Furclarence.
10. The Horticultural Society—is, we believe, renovated. Its
fetes champetres have ceased, from having always seen unsuccessful,
as to weather ; but new arrangements might b: contrived to obvi-
ate the recurrence of disappointment, if desirable.
11. The Zoological Society—is a general favourite. Mr. Bab-
bage shrewdly hints, that its principal chance of ruin, is its having
such a large revenue.
12. The Geographical Soeiety.—ls a new one, with most important
objects; similar w the Geographical Society of Paris.
13. The Phrenological Society—is only interesting to the advo-
cates of their peculiar doctrines.
14. The Medico-Botanical Society—is a modern one, and, we
hear, proceeding successfully. Its objects are rational.
15. Phe Geological Society.—No society, the objects of which
are restricted to one branch of science, has displayed more ability in
its members, or produced more curious contributions to knowledge,
than this society, which, we believe, is thriving.
IS. The Astronomical Society.—This is a society which will
add to the celebrity of Britain. It is very new, but thriving.
We have now sketched the principal scientific societies ; and,
when we reflect that to all these we may add two mettopolitan uni-
versities, we hardly think it can be correctly said, that science and
literature is declintng in this country.
We may mention that there are about twelve periodical journals,
devoted to science, now in course of publication in Great Britain.