[ Francis Robert Japp; Printed ] Questionnaire from the Birmingham Philosophical Society, printed., with Japp's responses in holograph to two only of the four questions and with signature "F.R. Japp" with date.

[ Francis Robert Japp; Printed ] Questionnaire from the Birmingham Philosophical Society, printed., with Japp's responses in holograph to two only of the four questions and with signature "F.R. Japp" with date. Questionnaire, answers filled in by Japp, from, 'Translation of Scientific Memoirs' Committee', Birmingham Philosophical Society, 2pp, 4to, minor sunning, creases, good condition. NOT including the 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", 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).Japp:Question 1. He thinks the object desirable but needing a trial. He thinks it might be accomplished on a smaller scale than seems to be anticipated, starting with "memoirs of the highest importance".Question 2. "Probably by method c. In any case the chief difficulty is one of funds, as the undertaking could not be made to pay."Question 3. "No, and in the case of chemical memoirs it would hardly be necessary to translate those written in German, as the great majority of English scientific chemists have been partly trained in Germany & read German with facility."Question 4. "A small fee should be paid: voluntary work nearly always breaks down after the first enthusiasm has worn off, and the fee would, moreover, probably be a consideration to many whoi would undertake the work."No Remarks. 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.