THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 5, 22 August 1911, Page 2

THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

It is strange that one of‘the greatest societies in the \\;orld, one that sometimes holds the reputations ol explorers in its hands, should sutler from lack of funds. The Royal Geographical Society is in that unfortunate position. Under the heading of “A Roproach to the Nation” the “Standard” publishes a fetter from Lord Curzon appealing for the financial support the society so justly merits. He explains that when he accepted the presidency of the Society the main object he had in view was to assist the society to satisfy its most urgent need, the provision of new and more suitable premises for its habitation and work. The present building has been occupied for nearly forty years. There is no lecture hull and the society is dependent upon the Civil Service Commissioners for the use of a building capable of accommodating the seven or eight hundred people who desire to hear at first hand the achievements of leading scientific men. The library has, in the course of that time, been nearly trebled. All oyer the building, in the cellars and every odd corner, the Co,r 000 volumes and 100,000 maps are scattered. Lord Curzon wonders what the distinguished foreigner who makes his pilgrimage to what he no doubt supposes to he the temple and shrine of geography, must think of it all. “As he climbs the narrow staircase of No. 1, Savile Row, and finds his way into the-, shabby nooks, and poky corners of our building he may, if he knows

anything of our country, realise how thoroughly English it all is in its lack of organisation, and amplititude, and decorum,” The research department is forced to hold its meetings in the map-room, and that department, is put out of action for the time being. The school of scientific instruction does a valuable work. Under a capable instructor dozens of young men, mostly from the Colonial Office, arc trained in geographical surveying and cartography. The numbers are limited where there should be no limitations whatever. Many of the society’s most valued possessions, relics of famous pioneers, their portraits, original maps, models, globes, and appliances, arc buried in a melancholy, and very dusty, obscurity. Lord Curzon states that £IOO,OOO would purchase the freehold of adjoining promises and adapt them to the needs of the society. It is to he hoped that when Englishmen realise the true financial position of the Royal Geographical Society there will he a ready response to the appeal, and the reproach will soon cease to exist.’