FOR COUNTY LOCAL SOCIETIES,
189
directed by the local committees, would certainly be of direct
educational value to all taking part in it; and the reports, when
issued, would be admirable object-lessons, serving to show how
much of interest our own counties possess. And now that the
importance of museums in education is recognised by scores of
thoughtful writers and speakers, would not the sets of specimens,
accurately named, localised and described, be of real use to
students and investigators? Of the scientific importance of the
results from the work advocated it is unnecessary to speak before
this Committee. And we must not forget that there is a strong
feeling of local patriotism, which appeals to all.
Of the legal aspect of the question I am not qualified to
speak; the problem might be submitted in the first instance to
the Board of Education. Should it be found that the present
law would not permit of such allocation of funds, it might not
be difficult to induce the Government to introduce a two-line
clause into some "omnibus" Educational Bill (there are sure to
be a few in the near future) permitting the county councils to act
as indicated above.
It is suggested, if the proposals meet with the approval of
the Scientific Societies Committee, that a small sub-committee
be appointed, to meet in London and consider the steps that may
be necessary to bring the matter before the public and the
authorities. Perhaps the British Association itself would aid in
bringing the matter prominently before those in authority and
the public generally, and it might not be difficult to enlist the
sympathies and co-operation of a few Members of Parliament
favourable to scientific education, supposing any parliamentary
action is necessary.
I should like to see some active, practical steps taken; in my
opinion, the local Scientific Societies Committee could not confer
a greater benefit on the Societies, nor aid more the progress and
study of natural science and archaeology in the counties by the
numerous amateurs now existing, than in promoting some such
scheme as that I have advocated.
[This little paper is printed as originally written, but in reply
to some recent criticisms I may say that in putting archaeological
investigation in front of the list of suggested subjects I was
simply following recommendations that had been made by some
distinguished men at former meetings of the British Association