3IO POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



reports on the progress of a science, and, when the societies meet at the 

 same time and place, their value is increased by the opportunity 

 afforded for a larger group to be present. In this direction the Associa- 

 tion has, however, an important work. The address of the president, 

 the most eminent man of science in America who has not yet held this 

 office, should be an event of national importance. It should be worth 

 publication, and should be published in full in all the important daily 

 newspapers, as actually happens in England in the case of the president 

 of the British Association. The addresses of the vice-presidents should 

 be as nearly as may be of the same importance and interest. These 

 should not be addresses such as are presented before the special socie- 

 ties, but should be intelligible and interesting to all men of science and 

 to the great mass of men and women who have had a college education 

 or an equivalent training in affairs. The afternoons through the week 

 might with advantage begin with these addresses, not more than two 

 being given simultaneously, and these might be followed with reports or 

 discussions of problems of general interest. The sectional committees 

 and the council should pay special attention well in advance to the 

 arrangement of a program. Care should be taken, if necessary, by invi- 

 tation to those not members of the Association, to secure the adequate 

 presentation of subjects in which the Association needs strengthening. 

 Thus applied science should be given more prominence than hitherto. 

 Those eminent in public life, in educational work and the like, and 

 distinguished foreign men of science might be invited to address the 

 Association or to take part in its discussions. Funds should be avail- 

 able to defray at least the traveling expenses of such invited guests. 



4. The addresses, reports and discussions should, in part at least, 

 be of such interest as to attract the general public, securing a large local 

 attendance and being reported widely by the press. It is not possible, 

 least of all in a democratic country, for science to isolate itself from 

 common life. There must be special research that can be appreciated 

 only by the expert, but as quickly as possible the progress of science 

 should be made a part of the world's common stock of knowledge. The 

 American Association should be one of the chief factors in the diffusion 

 ©f science, and its annual meetings should be looked forward to by the 

 general public as the occasion when for its benefit the year's progress 

 in science and the contemporary state of science are exhibited in their 

 outlines and in correct perspective. The meetings should typify the 

 dignity and weight of science, so as to impress these on the minds of 

 all. The sympathy and support of all the people are absolutely 

 essential for science. Only so can recruits for scientific work be 

 secured; only so can endowments and material support be obtained; 

 only so can scientific work under the government be placed on a 

 secure and permanent basis. We have in these needs not only the 



