Edinburgh now requires, for composition in lieu
of annual contributions, a sum dependent on the value of the life of the
member.]

Thus, those who are ambitious of scientific distinction, may, according
to their fancy, render their name a kind of comet, carrying with it a
tail of upwards of forty letters, at the average cost of 10L. 9s. 9d.
per letter.

Perhaps the reader will remark, that science cannot be declining in a
country which supports so many institutions for its cultivation. It is
indeed creditable to us, that the greater part of these societies are
maintained by the voluntary contributions of their members. But, unless
the inquiries which have recently taken place in some of them should
rectify the SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT by which several have been oppressed,
it is not difficult to predict that their duration will be short. Full
PUBLICITY, PRINTED STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS, and occasional DISCUSSIONS
and inquiries at GENERAL MEETINGS, are the only safeguards; and a due
degree of VIGILANCE should be exercised on those who DISCOURAGE these
principles. Of the Royal Society, I shall speak in a succeeding page;
and I regret to add, that I might have said more. My object is to amend
it; but, like all deeply-rooted complaints, the operation which alone
can contribute to its cure, is necessarily painful. Had the words of
remonstrance or reproof found utterance through other channels, I had
gladly been silent, content to support by my vote the reasonings of the
friend of science and of the Society. But this has not been the case,
and after frustrated efforts to introduce improvements, I shall now
endeavour, by the force of plain, but perhaps painful truths, to direct
public opinion in calling for such a reform, as shall rescue the Royal
Society from contempt in our own country, from ridicule in others.

On the next five societies in the list, I shall offer no remarks. Of the
Geological, I shall say a few words. It possesses all the freshness, the
vigour, and the ardour of youth in the pursuit of a youthful science,
and has succeeded in a most difficult experiment, that of having an oral
discussion on the subject of each paper read at its meetings. To say of
these discussions, that they are very entertaining, is the least part
of the praise which is due to them. They are generally very instructive,
and sometimes bring together isolated facts in the science which,
though insignificant when separate, mutually illustrate ea