Reflections on the Decline of Science in England

Appendix, No. 2.

An examination into some charges brought against one of the twenty-four candidates, mentioned in a note as having their names suspended in the meeting-room of the Royal Society, at one time, has caused a printed pamphlet to be circulated amongst the members of the Society.  Of the charges themselves I shall offer no opinion, but entreat every member to judge for himself.  I shall, however, make one extract, which tends to show how the ranks of the Society are recruited.

EXTRACT from A printed letter from A. F. M. To J. G. Children, Esq.  DATED, 22, upper BEDFORD-place, March 13, 1830.

“When I wished you to Propose me at the Geological Society, you asked me why you should not propose me also at the Royal Society; and my answer was, that it was an honour to which I did not think I could aspire; that my talents were too insignificant to warrant such pretensions.  Many days passed, and still you pressed me on the subject, because your partiality made you think me deserving of the honour; but I resisted, really through modesty, not that I did not covet the distinction, until something was said of my paper on the meteoric mass of iron of Brazil, which was published some years ago in the Transactions of the Royal Society; when you insisted on proposing me, and I assented gratefully, because I was and am desirous of being a Fellow of the Royal Society, if I can be supposed worthy of having my name so honourably enrolled.”

EXTRACT from A letter of J. G. Children, Esq.  To A. F. M. Esq.  DATED, British Museum, March 24, 1830.

“All that you have said respecting your being a candidate for admission into the Royal Society, is correct to the letter.  I pressed the subject upon you, and I would do it again to-morrow, were it necessary.”

Here, then, we find Mr. Children, who has been on the Council of the Royal Society, and who was, a few years since, one of its Secretaries, pressing one of his friends to become, and actually insisting on proposing him as, a Fellow of the Royal Society, He must have been well aware of the feelings which prevail amongst the Council as to the propriety of such a step, and by publishing the fact, seems quite satisfied that such a course is advantageous to the interests of the Society.  That similar applications were not unfrequently made in private, is well known; but it remains for the Society to consider whether, now they are publicly and officially announced to them, it will sanction this mode of augmenting the already numerous list of its fellows.