Reflections on the Decline of Science in England, and on Some of Its Causes

quire investigation. And it is equally certain that the tastes and pursuits of our manhood will bear on them the traces of the earlier impressions of our educat

ful knowledge; and at these latter establishments, formed originally for instructing those who are intended for the cl

e connected with that body, who will not do me the justice to believe that, whatever suggestions I may venture to offer, are prompted by the warmes

e aristocracy of the country, I am inclined to believe that whilst the modifications I should propose would not

n the numerous lectures on chemistry, geology, botany, history, &c. It is at present a matter of option with the student, which, and how many of these courses he shall attend, and such it should still remain. All that it would be necessary to add would be, that previously to taking his degree, each person should be examined by those Professors, whose lectures he had attended. The pupils should then be arranged in two classes, according to their merits, and the names included in these classes should be printed. I woul

he sciences might be grouped, and the

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Physiology and Co

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f his after life. His friends and relatives would then reasonably expect every student to have acquired distinction in SOME pursuit. If it should be feared that this plan would lead to too great a diversity of pursuits in the same individual, a limitation might be placed upon the

our power and our right to direct the studies of those who are intended for the church, as well as of those who aspire to the various offices connected with our academical institutions; we should

e so much for the improvement of our system of instruction, that public opinion will not reproach us for any unwillingness to alter. It is our first duty to be well satisfied that we can improve: such altera

classes of society. The discussions in the Houses of Lords or of Commons, which arise on the occurrence of any subjects connected with science,