Notes

Abstract

APPARENTLY, the British Government is indifferent to any increase of facilities for the advancement of knowledge, for it makes no attempt to show active interest in organisations and institutions concerned with science and higher education. The Carnegie institute at Pittsburg was dedicated last week in the presence of a large and distinguished company, but neither the British Ambassador nor any member of the British Embassy was present at the ceremony, though invitations were sent. On the other hand, the German Emperor was represented by a special commission of six members of the highest rank; France and Italy were also represented, and there were present numerous representatives of other Embassies and Legations. It is unfortunate that England should have been without a political representative upon such an occasion, but the omission is only another instance of the failure of British statesmen to understand the significance of anything relating to science or progressive learning. The Times correspondent states that the absence of British representatives and the consequent tone of the whole proceedings left a regrettable impression among the British and Canadians, who formed a large majority of the foreign guests. He remarks:—“By Germany an opportunity has been cleverly and quite legitimately seized; by England it has been, by sheer stupidity, carelessly neglected.” These words could be applied to so many similar instances that they may be considered as describing the characteristic attitude shown by the two countries to scientific work. We hope to give an account of the opening of th institute in an early issue.