Reflections on the decline of science in England, and on some of its causes / by Charles Babbage.

  • Babbage, Charles, 1791-1871.
Date:
1830
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reflections on the decline of science in England, and on some of its causes / by Charles Babbage. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    51/260 (page 29)
    together, to form societies or academies. In for- mer times, when philosophical instruments were more rare, and the art of making experiments was less perfectly known, it was almost neces- sary. More recently, whilst numerous additions are constantly making to science, it has been found that those who are most capable of ex- tending 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