Chapter 1212: Chapter 138: Your Excellency’s Arrival (Part 3)
Although Arthur did not have a good impression of the extrely Tory Duke of Cumberland, if judged solely by his military achievents, the Duke of Cumberland’s performance in the army was indeed heroic. In the Battle of Tournai in 1794, he led a cavalry charge as the commander and was wounded in the head during a clash with the French cavalry.
After recovering from his injury, he imdiately returned to the cavalry service and participated in a series of operations against Napoleon.
The Duke of Cumberland’s performance in the cavalry once earned him the position of Cavalry Director, while the Duke of Cambridge, who had long commanded the Hanoverian army, naturally beca the Governor of Hanover responsible for overseeing the Kingdom of Hanover.
It’s worth noting that the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cumberland, and the Duke of Cambridge were all alumni of the University of Göttingen.
The three princes were educated at Göttingen rather than at Oxford or Cambridge, which not only attests to the educational quality of the University of Göttingen but also reflects the importance King George III placed on his ancestral Kingdom of Hanover.
The choice to send the Duke of Sussex, who held both identities as a Göttingen alumnus and a liberal, to visit the Kingdom of Hanover instead of the Duke of Cumberland also indicates King William IV’s determination to promote liberal constitutional reforms in the Kingdom of Hanover.
For Arthur, even if the Duke of Sussex did nothing, rely staying in Göttingen for a while would provide him with great help. After all, this was not just an empty talk but a real royal endorsent.
Accompanying Arthur, the Duke of Sussex, didn’t wait for Arthur to speak before bringing up so internal disputes within the Royal Society.
“Seeing the Kingdom of Hanover and the University of Göttingen gradually move towards liberty, it is indeed encouraging. I’ve always thought it would be wonderful if the Royal Society could follow suit.”
Arthur detected a hint of unease in the words and pondered with a frown: “Has there been any recent upheaval in the Society?”
“It’s not quite a recent upheaval but rather so longstanding grievances.” The Duke of Sussex sighed, “Has Babbage also co to Göttingen? Didn’t he talk to you about that article?”
“Which article?” Arthur inquired, “I only know Mr. Babbage is always tinkering with the difference engine. Has there been so progress on that?”
“It’s not about the difference engine.”
The Duke of Sussex said, “So ti ago, Babbage published an article in the journal entitled ‘Reflections on the Decline of Science in England and So of Its Causes,’ which enurated various problems and loopholes in the administration, organization, and academic aspects of the Royal Society. Babbage asserted that Britain has now fallen behind other major powers in theoretical sciences, and even so countries that aren’t particularly strong have surpassed us.
When discussing the reasons, he focused on the Royal Society, suggesting that the stifling atmosphere and opportunism within the Society are responsible for the stagnation of scientific endeavors. He claid that the Society has been dominated by a certain group or clique for years.
He stated that these people may not have a complete or written action plan but act according to certain shared principles. Their primary goal is to seize power and then allocate benefits to various mbers. The mbers of this group or clique are usually diocre but adept at manipulation. When faced with so gifted individuals who refuse to cooperate, they often resort to solidarity to sanction the offender…”
When the Duke of Sussex ntioned this, Arthur finally understood what the matter was about.
Actually, Arthur had heard of the internal struggles within the Royal Society. So information ca from apprentices in the Faraday Laboratory, and others from Miss Byron.
Due to their mathematical interests, Miss Byron and Babbage began correspondence a few years ago. According to her, Mr. Babbage would not only feel disheartened by the slow progress of the difference engine but also angered by the chaotic managent within the Royal Society.
Babbage once lanted in a letter: “If a mber of the Royal Society challenges a personnel appointnt or misuse of authority, the typical response would be: ‘What does this have to do with you? Although it might not align with your views, this is none of your business. You should first focus on doing your part.'”
Babbage especially detested the Royal Society’s indiscriminate acceptance of mbers. Many politicians, officials, wealthy rchants, and military officers who do not engage in scientific research can also beco mbers of the Royal Society.
To substantiate his point, Babbage employed his statistical analysis skills to conduct a background check on all 714 mbers of the Royal Society. The results revealed that 109 mbers had submitted articles to academic journals, while 605 had not.
Such results naturally enraged Babbage.
Moreover, it wasn’t just Babbage who was upset; astronor Jas South even posted large placards against the Royal Society and published a pamphlet attacking the Duke of Sussex, the President of the Royal Society. He boldly stated, “If selection doesn’t represent honor, then removal is no longer a disgrace.” He demanded his mbership be rescinded.
Considering the outcry from so many scientists, it’s no wonder the Duke of Sussex feels overwheld.
After all, both Babbage and South are influential scholars in Britain, and more importantly, the issues they raised do exist.
The Duke of Sussex, who has always prided himself as a liberal, suddenly faced such accusations and really has no idea how to respond appropriately.
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