Reflections on the Decline of Science in England

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.