We wonder who is really responsible for the useannesses the
British Treasury occasionally commit? Professor Sylvester is one of the first mathematicians in Europe, and at the ago of forty agreed to accept the mathematical chair at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. That surely was great gain to the State, which thus obtained, at a very moderate price, the aid of ability which no fluctuating body could have secured for twice the sum. The Professor taught for fifteen years, all but a few weeks, when, in consequence of some changes in the curriculum, his office was abolished. If he had been an ecclesiastical sineourist, he would have had full pay for life. If ho had been the most useless of " Commissioners," he would have had half-pay. But being only a teacher of European reputation, the Treasury awarded him 1278 is. a year. The injustice has been re- medied, and the Professor is to have two-thirds of his salary ; but who makes the awards in the first instance, and why cannot he ask somebody who knows something outside official rules? The Prussian Government is the most penurious in the world ; but when it makes a distinction it makes it in favour of the savan, not against him,
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