fellowships) appear to be sown broadcast." The complaint was prompted by the following note, sent speculatively from London to likely candidates in the Colonies by the Society."We shall be pleased to add your name to the list of Fellows of the Society of Science, Letters and Art, of London. We are admitting the principal men of science, letters and art from all parts of the world. With Sir H.V. Goold's compliments."Auckland Star, 18 October 1886 It was understood that the Society's practice was to send out, along with the above note and the SSLA Journal, a proposal of fellowship already stamped with the acceptance of Goold himself, and with the recipient's name left blank. The Journal stated that in return for an annual subscription of one guinea or a single life membership costing five guineas, 1,000 Foundation Fellowships were not only offered to eminent scientists, but also to anyone merely "engaged in science, literature or art, including music and the fine arts; also to those who are most active in promoting the interests and objects of the society." After the first 1,000 places were filled, an unlimited number of remaining applicants were to be called Ordinary Fellows, and were to pay double the fees. In return for their guineas and for writing their names on the proposal form, members were permitted to append the initials "F.S.Sc." to their names, and to wear gowns and hoods. The conclusion was as follows:"The Society seems, in short, to be founded on the continental system by which the right to use magic letters and titles, usually associated with degrees, can be purchased without examination. Such a system, to our mind, can only have an injurious effect upon true science and art - in the colonies certificates so obtained might be used by unqualified persons to impose upon the public as skilled teachers - and if the Society is earnest in its purposes, and wishes to earn the confidence of the scientific and art world, the sooner it alters its methods the better."Auckland Star, 18 October 1886 In 1892, The Times-Picayune of New Orleans described the Society as "bogus." Rebuttals On 6 March 1884, The Times printed a rebuttal by Sir H.V. Goold. This reply to the Royal Society of Arts set out the aims of the Society and declared that many of its members were also members of the Society of Arts (although he