Of Encouragement from Learned Societies.

There are several circumstances which concur in inducing persons
pursuing science, to unite together, to form societies or
academies. In former times, when philosophical instruments were
more rare, and the art of making experiments was less perfectly
known, it was almost necessary. More recently, whilst numerous
additions are constantly making to science, it has been found
that those who are most capable of extending human knowledge, are
frequently least able to encounter the expense of printing their
investigations. It is therefore convenient, that some means
should be devised for relieving them from this difficulty, and
the volumes of the transactions of academies have accomplished
the desired end.

There is, however, another purpose to which academies contribute.
When they consist of a limited number of persons, eminent for
their knowledge, it becomes an object of ambition to be admitted
on their list. Thus a stimulus is applied to all those who
cultivate science, which urges on their exertions, in order to
acquire the wished-for distinction. It is clear that this envied
position will be valued in proportion to the difficulty of its
attainment, and also to the celebrity of those who enjoy it; and
whenever the standard of scientific knowledge which qualifies for
its ranks is lowered, the value of the distinction itself will be
diminished. If, at any time, a multitude of persons having no
sort of knowledge of science are admitted, it must cease to be
sought after as an object of ambition by men of science, and the
class of persons to whom it will become an object of desire will