ORRECTAE, Gothae, 1810--INVESTIGATIO NOVA ORBITAE A
MERCURIO CIRCA SOLEM DESCRIPTAE, Gothae, 1813, and of other
works.

M. Lindenau, the Minister from the King of Saxony to the King of the
Netherlands, commenced his career as astronomer at the observatory of
the Grand Duke of Gotha, by whom he was sent as his representative at
the German Diet. On the death of the late reigning Duke, M. Lindenau
was invited to Dresden, and filled the same situation under the King of
Saxony; after which he was appointed his minister at the court of the
King of the Netherlands. Such occurrences are not to be paralleled in
our own country, at least not in modern times. Newton was, it is true,
more than a century since, appointed Master of the Mint; but let any
person suggest an appointment of a similar kind in the present day, and
he will gather from the smiles of those to whom he proposes it that the
highest knowledge conduces nothing to success, and that political power
is almost the only recommendation.

SECTION 3. Of Encouragement from Learned Societies.

There are several circumstances which concur in inducing persons
pursuing science, to unite together, to form societies or academies. In
former times, when philosophical instruments were more rare, and the art
of making experiments was less perfectly known, it was almost necessary.
More recently, whilst numerous additions are constantly making to
science, it has been found that those who are most capable of extending
human knowledge, are frequently least able to encounter the expense of
printing their investigations. It is therefore convenient, that some
means should be devised for relieving them from this difficulty, and the
volumes of the transactions of academies have accomplished the desired
end.

There is, however, another purpose to which academies contribute.
When they consist of a limited number of persons, eminent for their
knowledge, it becomes an object of ambition to be admitted on their
list. Thus a stimulus is applied to all those who cultivate science,
which urges on their exertions, in order to acquire the wished-for
distinction. It is clear that this envied position will be valued
in proportion to the difficulty of its attainment, and also to the
celebrity of those who enjoy it; and whenever the standard of scientific
knowledge which qualifies for its ranks is lowered, the value of the
distinction itself will be diminished. If, at any time, a multitude of