amongst the nobility of his country? In utility and profit,
not merely to that country, but to the human race, his deeds may proudly
claim comparison even with the most splendid of those achieved by
classes so rich in glorious recollections. An objection, in most cases
fatal to such a course, arises from the impolicy of conferring a title,
unless a considerable fortune exists to support it; a circumstance
very rarely occurring to the philosopher. It might in some measure be
removed, by creating such titles only for life. But here, again, until
there existed some knowledge of science amongst the higher classes, and
a sound state of public opinion relative to science, the execution of
the plan could only be injurious.

SECTION 7. OF THE UNION OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.

This idea has occurred to several persons, as likely to lead to
considerable advantages to science. If the various scientific societies
could unite in the occupation of one large building, considerable
economy would result from the union. By properly arranging their
evenings of meeting, one meeting-room only need be required. The
libraries might either be united, or arranged in adjoining rooms; and
such a system would greatly facilitate the inquiries of scientific
persons.

Whether it would be possible to reunite in any way the different
societies to the Royal Society, might be a delicate question; but
although, on some accounts, desirable, that event is not necessary for
the purpose of their having a common residence.

The Medico-Botanical Society might, perhaps, from sympathy, be the first
to which the Royal Society would apply; and by a proper interchange of
diplomas, [A thing well understood by the INITIATED, both at HOME and
ABROAD.] the two societies might be inoculated with each other. But
even here some tact would be required; the Medico-Botanical is a
little particular about the purity of its written documents, and lately
attributed blame to one of its officers for some slight tampering with
them, a degree of illiberality which the Council of the Royal Society
are far from imitating.

The Geological and the Astronomical Societies nourish no feelings of
resentment to the parent institution for their early persecution; and
though they have no inducement to seek, would scarcely refuse any union
which might be generally advantageous to science.

CONCLUSION.

In a work on the Decline of Science, at a period when England has so
recently