190 EXPLORATION AND REGISTRATION WORK.
Committee. I am aware that such subjects as those grouped
under (c) and (d) might be considered as more "practical" and
more worthy of public support. But it may be anticipated that
in the event of these county investigation committees being
established, subscriptions in aid of "unpractical" investigations
would come in, just as the Field Club has on several occasions
raised considerable sums for camp and denehole explorations.
Interest in the work would grow, and the established county
committees would quickly gather up and enfold scattered
energies in aid of their systematic labours.
I cannot refrain from expressing disappointment at the
somewhat colourless "recommendation" arrived at by the
Corresponding Societies Committee after consideration of the
proposal. In all patience we have had enough of barren
"recommendations" and "resolutions," for a dozen years past.
The plea now is for a practical working scheme, and I hope that
some effort will be made to band together the county scientific
societies to attempt a realization of some such plans as that
outlined above. Our quiet country scientists are too apt to
forget that they have votes and a personal interest in good
education equally with more outspoken folk; they should not be
too timid to accept Sir Norman Lockyer's advice, and become
judiciously "political." Well-timed pleading might induce
candidates for county work and honours to give heed to the
claims of science in the disposition of the large sums now
available for higher education. The disingenuous cry of "save
the rates" sometimes raised against analogous suggestions is not
applicable to the trifling grants asked for; these sums are almost
infinitesimal compared with claims put forward on behalf of
subjects of at least not greater "practical" and educational
importance than some that I have indicated.]