.

STATE OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY IN PARTICULAR.
As the venerable first parent of English, and I might perhaps say, of European scientific societies; as a body in the welfare of which, in the opinions of many, the interests of British science are materially involved, I may be permitted to feel anxiously, and to speak more in detail.
SECTION 1.

MODE OF BECOMING A FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
I have no intention of stating what ought to be the qualifications of a Fellow of the Royal Society; but, for years, the practical mode of arriving at that honour, has been as follows:-- A.B.gets any three Fellows to sign a certificate, stating that he (A.B.) is desirous of becoming a member, and likely to be a useful and valuable one.

This is handed in to the Secretary, and suspended in the meeting-room.

At the end of ten weeks, if A.B.has the good fortune to be perfectly unknown by any literary or scientific achievement, however small, he is quite sure of being elected as a matter of course.