On the present position of science in relation to the British government / by G. Gore.

  • Gore, George, 1826-1909.
Date:
[1872]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the present position of science in relation to the British government / by G. Gore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    6/8 (page 6)
    G and we are rapidly becoming dependent for our progress in scientific arts and manufactures upon knowledge supplied to ns by foreign nations. In all directions, wherever Ave examine the state of knowledge of science amongst the governing men of this country, we find it very defective, and attended by results seriously injurious to the Avelfare of the nation. Gentlemen aat1io are comparatively ignorant of science are appointed by our Governments to decide scientific questions. Only recently (May 21st, 1872), a memorial of the British Association, signed by the eminent president, Sir William Thomson, Avas sent to the Lords of the Treasury, applying for a sum of £150. to continue a series of observations on the tides upon which the Association had already expended £600. from its OAvn resources, and which was essential to a more complete knowledge of the tides, and consequently to the greater safety of our navy. The reply to this application was most civil 3 but, putting upon it the most charitable construction, it exhibited a degree of ignorance of the national ATalue of science most painful to contemplate. The reply stated “ that their Lordships have given their anxious attention to the memorial, and that they are fully sensible of the inter- esting nature of such investigations3 but that they feel that if they acceded to this request, it Avould be impossible to refuse to contribute towards the numerous other objects Avhicli men of eminence may desire to treat scientifically. Their Lordships must, therefore, though Avith regret, decline to make a promise of assistance towards the present object out of public funds.” Hero Avas a subject of great importance to the national welfare, and which it was the duty of the State and not that of the British Associa- tion wholly to pay for, treated as if it was only an investigation of an “interesting nature,” “which men of eminence may desire to treat scientifically.” Their Lordships AArere apparently not aAvare that ignorance of the course and height of tides often leads to shipAvrecks, and that their refusal of £150. might lead to the loss of some valuable ship 3 they seemed to have forgotten that the loss of the ill-fated “ Captain” Avas due to neglect of science. Such a want of lcnoAvledge in any private appointment Arould be a sufficient reason to remove from his post the responsible person. It is difficult to believe that the Government of a maritime country should be so ignorant of science as to decline to make even a promise of assistance out of the public funds of the small sum of £150. for such an important purpose, whilst it expends immense sums of money upon ships. Their Lordships Avere manifestly unable to appre- ciate the importance of the application, or to perceive the duty of the State to pay for such labours 3 and instead of acting upon the opinion of disinterested men, of the highest eminence in the subject, declined to accede to the request! Gentlemen Avho are but little acquainted with science are also appointed by our Government to direct eminent scientific men in scien- tific matters, and the results, as might be expected, are most unsatis-