cise the talents of a philosopher for the paltry
remuneration of a clerk, he will find that other qualifications than
knowledge and a love of science are necessary for its attainment. He
will also find that the high and independent spirit, which usually
dwells in the breast of those who are deeply versed in these pursuits,
is ill adapted for such appointments; and that even if successful, he
must hear many things he disapproves, and raise no voice AGAINST them.

Thus, then, it appears that scarcely any man can be expected to pursue
abstract science unless he possess a private fortune, and unless he
can resolve to give up all intention of improving it. Yet, how few thus
situated are likely to undergo the labour of the acquisition; and if
they do from some irresistible impulse, what inducement is there for
them to deviate one step from those inquiries in which they find the
greatest delight, into those which might be more immediately useful to
the public?

CHAPTER III. GENERAL STATE OF LEARNED SOCIETIES IN ENGLAND.

The progress of knowledge convinced the world that the system of the
division of labour and of cooperation was as applicable to science, as
it had been found available for the improvement of manufactures. The
want of competition in science produced effects similar to those which
the same cause gives birth to in the arts. The cultivators of botany
were the first to feel that the range of knowledge embraced by the Royal
Society was too comprehensive to admit of sufficient attention to their
favourite subject, and they established the Linnean Society. After many
years, a new science arose, and the Geological Society was produced. At
an another and more recent epoch, the friends of astronomy, urged by the
wants of their science, united to establish the Astronomical Society.
Each of these bodies found, that the attention devoted to their science
by the parent establishment was insufficient for their wants, and each
in succession experienced from the Royal Society the most determined
opposition.

Instituted by the most enlightened philosophers, solely for the
promotion of the natural sciences, that learned body justly conceived
that nothing could be more likely to render these young institutions
permanently successful, than discouragement and opposition at their
commencement. Finding their first attempts so eminently successful,
they redoubled the severity of their persecution, and the result was
commensurat