[ Francis Galton; Printed ] Questionnaire with introductory Letter from H.W. Crosskey, President of the Birmingham Philosophical Society, all printed., with signature of Francis Galton and his response in manuscript. also signed and dated.

Author: 
H.W.Crosskey, geologist [ Francis Galton, 'Victorian statistician, progressive, polymath, sociologist, psychologist, anthropologist, eugenicist, inventor, meteorologist, proto-geneticist'}
Publication details: 
July 8th, 1886. Manuscript response dated 12 July 1886.
£750.00
SKU: 23110

Printed Letter and Questionnaire from the Birmingham Philosophical Society, 'Translation of Scientific Memoirs' Committee, 4pp., 4to, bifolium, some sunning and marking, good condition. Printed Letter, p.[1], from H.W. Crosskey, explaining what the questionnaire is for (Action for the Translation and Publication of Foreign Scientific Memoirs to be put to the attention of the British Association). The questionnaire comprises four questions, with a final section headed Remarks. Galton has answered in holograph only the first printed question (but filled a blank page (p.[2]with an alternative plan), the first question being, Do you think it advisable that steps should be taken to secure the systematic translation and publication in English of all the more important foreign scientific memoirs? Galton writes, The matter to be dealt with being voluminous & much dependent on Illustration, I do not see how the cost of so vast an undertaking could be defrayed, or how its consistent management could be secured. Much more detailed information as to what is desired by the authors of the proposal seems to me to be wanted, before I could answer either 'yes' or 'no' to this question. The further printed questions, left blank by Galton, were: 2. If so [advisable] would the work be best accomplished: (a) by the formation of a Special Society or Committee for dealing with memoirs on all subjects; or (b) by the formation of separate Societies or Committees each dealing with one particular branch of science; or (c) by urging the existing scientific Societies to undertake the translation of the memoirs with which they are most nearly concerned? | 3. Would it be necessary, in your opinion, to translate memoirs in the French language? | 4. Should the work of translation be done voluntarily, or be paid for by a small fee; the name of the translator in either case being attached to his work? Section 5 is headed Remarks (final page) and Galton has written, I have put on a separate paper (the opposite half sheet of this circular [a blank]) some brief [another word crossed out] remarks on an alternative plan, that might be worth considering in detail, details following:Twenty-seven lines of holograph outlining Galton's suggestions, commencing: If the subject of translation should be discussed at all, I think the following idea might be worth consideration | A publication [… on financing] and under such management as that of the Phil: Mag: to take a part towards the memoirs of foreign scientific soc[iet]ies not unlike that taken by Hansard towards the Parliamentary debates […] not given in total but are yet authentic, […] I suppose the Editors to have full power to refuse wholly, or to cut parts out, and thus indirectly to exact good form & literaryu style. The material they would translate to be chiefly supplied by the Sec[retar]ies of Foreign Societies, in the form of Abstracts of the Memoirs signed by the authors [to be accompanied with prints as in originals] & an offer of clichés of the blocks, &c at cost price. No translation ['not' excised] to be published until a full [?year) after the original memoir. He believes that this would mean the articles would be both condensed and original. That the publication would grow into an International undertaking by which the chief scientific memoirs would be published in abstract in the chief continental languages. In this case authors w[oul]d think very highly of the opportunity, & w[oul]d take great pains with their Abstracts. He is running out of space but squeezes in a final thought: The experience of the Sec[retar]ies of the Brit.Assoc. in dealing with the abstracts of memoirs sent to them, would be serviceable here. | [SIGNED] Francis Galton | July 12/ 86.Questiuonnaire's filled out by others also available: Francis Darwin, A.S. Herschel, T.H. Huxley, F.R. Japp, and Oliver Lodge. See: With C. Davison) On the need of combined action for the translation and publication of foreign scientific memoirs. Birmingham Philosophical Society. Proceedings., 5 (1885-87), 111-114. Also: Report of the committee, consisting of Dr. H.W. Crosskey, Dr. W.A. Tilden, Prof. J.H. Poynting, Mr. R. Levett, Mr. E.F.J. Love, and Mr. C. Davison (secretary) : appointed to communicate with the Corresponding Societies Committee of the British Association on The need of combined action for the translation and publication of foreign scientific memoirs : and to take such further steps in the matter as they may consider desirable. (Birmingham UNiversity Library.) Note: A copy of the report based on this and other completed questionnaires, apparently the only one recorded, is at the National Library of Medicine (Bethesda, USA) . Despite valiant efforts (including being one hour's drive away) I have been unable to see it, or secure a copy: Report presented by the council to the annual meeting of members, held in the library of the Medical Institute,October 8, 1885. [Birmingham Philosophical Society (Birmingham, England)]. See other completed questionnaires (Galton, Huxley, Francis Darwin, etc) in my skus 17953-7.~750~FINGERPRINTS DARWIN BIRMINGHAM SCIENCE SCIENTIST~ ~0~Science Eph 2; found at #17952~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 23113~26/05/2020~False~Oliver Lodge, physicist and writer [ H.W.Crosskey, geologist ]~[ Oliver Lodge; Printed ] Letter and Questionnaire from the Birmingham Philosophical Society, printed., with Lodge's responses in holograph to questions and with signature Oliver Lodge, University College Liverpool with date.~July 12th, 1886.~Printed Circular Letter from H.W. Crosskey on behalf of the Birmingham Philosophical Society with Questionnaire from, Translation of Scientific Memoirs' Committee, dated 8 July 1886, 2 leaves, 4to, bifolium, minor staining, good condition. The Printed Letter, p.[1], from H.W. Crosskey, explains what the questionnaire is for (Action for the Translation and Publication of Foreign Scientific Memoirs to be put to the attention of the British Association). The questionnaire comprises four questions, with a final section headed Remarks, the questions being, 1.Do you think it advisable that steps should be taken to secure the systematic translation and publication in English of all the more important foreign scientific memoirs; 2. If so [advisable] would the work be best accomplished: (a) by the formation of a Special Society or Committee for dealing with memoirs on all subjects; or (b) by the formation of separate Societies or Committees each dealing with one particular branch of science; or (c) by urging the existing scientific Societies to undertake the translation of the memoirs with which they are most nearly concerned? | 3. Would it be necessary, in your opinion, to translate memoirs in the French language? | 4. Should the work of translation be done voluntarily, or be paid for by a small fee; the name of the translator in either case being attached to his work? Section 5 is headed Remarks (verso).Lodge answers al the questions fully, and adds a full-page of notes on the blank verso of the first leaf.He answers Question 1. Yes I do indeed. See opposite page but he doesn't think all scientists can be put on a level distinguishing between geologists, biologists, chemists and physicists.For question 2. He answers each section (a,b,c) in turn, (a) unwieldy (explained briefly), (b) is impracticable (explained), (c) Is the plan - he elaborates.Question 3 answer: He comments on the easiness of French but difficulties in skimming. Moreover the difficulty of scattering, or diverse publication applies to French as to the other literature. One wants things brought to a focus.Question 4 answer: He says it should be paid well to encourage Demonstrators & the like to do something which would be good for them. There should be a scale, and a tender system, and a weeding out of the incompetent.Remarks: It is important for translators to know well the subject matter than the language. I doubt if translation can ever be quoted with the same confidence as the original. He elaborates on this, concluding the translations should read fairly easily & not be repulsively barbarous. Note: A copy of the report based on this and other completed questionnaires, apparently the only one recorded, is at the National Library of Medicine (Bethesda, USA) . Despite valiant efforts (including being one hour's drive away) I have been unable to see it, or secure a copy: Report presented by the council to the annual meeting of members, held in the library of the Medical Institute,October 8, 1885. [Birmingham Philosophical Society (Birmingham, England)]. See other completed questionnaires (Galton, Huxley, Francis Darwin, etc).~450~SPRITUALISM PHYSICIST BIRMINGHAM SCIENCE SCIENTIST~ ~0~Science Eph 2; found at #17957~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 23107~26/05/2020~False~P.H. Colomb [Vice-Admiral Philip Howard Colomb, RN (1831–1899), Royal Navy officer, historian, critic, and inventor.]~[ Vice-Admiral Philip Howard Colomb; naval tactician, inventor, Arctic explorer, etc ] Two Autograph Letters Signed P H Colomb, both to an Editor, unnamed, about his article on Colomb lights for naval vessels.~18 Edith Villas, Fulham, S.W., 29 Jan and 4 Feb. [no year given; 1867]~Two ALSs, four pages each (an expansive hand), 12mo, bifoliums, fold marks, good condition. LETTER ONE: I have sent you by Book Post an article on Griffins loss. | To show that I do not speak at random in this article, I should tell you that I have private letters from the Commodore ([Hornby?]) saying 'I wish you would hasten ... the supply of your Lamps. Griffons [see note below] loss bears on the subject.'...| I wrote in August begging that all vessels coming out here might be supplied with Colomb's lights. I find the [last?] comers are not so blessed. Without I think being prejudiced by my own interest, I cannot help being indignant when I know that this loss is altogether due to the obstinacy on the part of the last Board. If there had been full means of communication between the ships, Davidson would most likely have said all he wanted by signal instead of [leaving?] his ship. LETTER TWO: He is obliged to the Editor to have opened [his] columns to [review?] the matter of signals- I am now about to ask you to allow me to make myself heard in the matter of Collisions at sea. He has sent an article in the [Kenyon?] case which I hope may find admission and I propose a further notice as you will see. I attended to every word of the Court Martial and to all the proceedings of the Admiralty Court, and without egotism I may say I have made myself a competent judge of the whole question. Postscript, Will you kindly return the article if not suitable?. Note: Intelligence has been received from the West Coast of Africa of the loss of Her Majesty's gun vessel Griffon. It appears that the Griffon and Pandora, when standing into Little Popoe, in the Bight of Benin, on the evening of the 2nd of October, unfortunately came into collision, and that the Griffon ran on to the beach shortly afterwards. The Mullet and Pandora had endeavoured, without success, to get the Griffon off up to the evening of the 6th of October, and it was feared she would become a total wreck. Officers and men are all safe and well.~350~AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT ARCTIC NAVAL TACTICS INVENTION~ ~0~SF41~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 23109~26/05/2020~False~Thomas H. Huxley, biologist [ T.H. Huxley; H.W.Crosskey, geologist ]~[ T.H. Huxley; Printed ] Questionnaire from the Birmingham Philosophical Society, printed., with Huxley's responses to questions in manuscript and with signature Thomas H. Huxley.~July 24th, 1886.~In a difficult hand, with some autograph corrections.. Questionnaire from the Birmingham Philosophical Society, 'Translation of Scientific Memoirs' Committee, 2pp., 4to, detached from the printed, explanatory letter from H.W. Crosskey (not present), some sunning, chipping (loss of one letter) and marking, fair condition. The absent Printed Letter, p.[1], from H.W. Crosskey, had explained what the questionnaire is for Action for the Translation and Publication of Foreign Scientific Memoirs to be put to the attention of the British Association. The questionnaire comprises four questions, with a final section headed Remarks, the questions being, 1.Do you think it advisable that steps should be taken to secure the systematic translation and publication in English of all the more important foreign scientific memoirs; 2. If so [advisable] would the work be best accomplished: (a) by the formation of a Special Society or Committee for dealing with memoirs on all subjects; or (b) by the formation of separate Societies or Committees each dealing with one particular branch of science; or (c) by urging the existing scientific Societies to undertake the translation of the memoirs with which they are most nearly concerned? | 3. Would it be necessary, in your opinion, to translate memoirs in the French language? | 4. Should the work of translation be done voluntarily, or be paid for by a small fee; the name of the translator in either case being attached to his work? Section 5 is headed Remarks (verso).Huxley answers Question 1. With a simple Yes. For question 2. He points out that The existing scientific Societies (in London at any rate) have quite as much to do as their Funds will permit at present. I am disposed to think that a [?] should be [contrived?] - a being subdivided into as many b.s as may be required.Question 3 answer: No- It costs so little trouble to learn enough French to read scientific articles, that translation would be a mere encouragement to laziness - But since people cannot learn enough German […]Question 4 answer: Translators should be paid, he says, and names attached. There should be a General Editor to ensure literary quality. He rails against the influence of germanised style (the pollution of English).Remarks: I speak from experience a a translator who began very badly and had to take infinite trouble to amend his ways[..]. He suggests the usefulness of translating memoirs from Slavonic/Russian. An eye kept on Russian science would be a great boon.Questionnaire's filled out by others also available: Francis Darwin, Francis Galton, A.S. Herschel, , F.R. Japp, and Oliver Lodge. See: With C. Davison) On the need of combined action for the translation and publication of foreign scientific memoirs. Birmingham Philosophical Society. Proceedings., 5 (1885-87), 111-114. Also: Report of the committee, consisting of Dr. H.W. Crosskey, Dr. W.A. Tilden, Prof. J.H. Poynting, Mr. R. Levett, Mr. E.F.J. Love, and Mr. C. Davison (secretary) : appointed to communicate with the Corresponding Societies Committee of the British Association on The need of combined action for the translation and publication of foreign scientific memoirs : and to take such further steps in the matter as they may consider desirable. (Birmingham UNiversity Library.) Note: A copy of the report based on this and other completed questionnaires, apparently the only one recorded, is at the National Library of Medicine (Bethesda, USA) . Despite valiant efforts (including being one hour's drive away) I have been unable to see it, or secure a copy: Report presented by the council to the annual meeting of members, held in the library of the Medical Institute,October 8, 1885. [Birmingham Philosophical Society (Birmingham, England)]. See other completed questionnaires (Galton, Huxley, Francis Darwin, etc) in my skus 17953-7.~850~DARWIN BIRMINGHAM SCIENCE SCIENTIST~ ~0~Science Eph 2 found at #17953~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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