BRITISH ASSOCIATION 219 



which to address the public, because the Presidential 

 Address is usually printed more or less in full, and 

 commented on in the leading newspapers, while long 

 extracts from it are given in all of them. It is also 

 an office that carries considerable responsibilities, 

 and one where very useful work may be done by its 

 holder. It requires, however, a more genial speaker 

 at ceremonial meetings than myself, where I simply 

 hate having to come forward. My infirmities have 

 prevented me from attending any of the meetings 

 of the British Association for many past years. 



The Addresses of the Presidents of the Associa- 

 tion differ much, as might be expected, in interest 

 and importance. One that gained unusual attention, 

 owing to its simplicity and sterling value, was that 

 of Sir William Grove, of whom I will take this 

 occasion to speak. 



The late Justice' Sir William Grove (181 1 -1896) 

 is one of those to whom I owe most for sympathy 

 in my inquiries, for helpful criticisms, and for long- 

 continued friendship. His early work as chemist and 

 electrician, his masterly book on the " Correlation of 

 Physical Forces," when the idea was novel that heat, 

 electricity, force, etc., were convertible into one 

 another, and his resolute and successful labours to 

 raise the worth of the Royal Society, promoted him 

 easily into the very first rank of scientific men. At 

 a subsequent time, when he was seriously considering 

 whether or no he should abandon the legal pro- 

 fession, he was unexpectedly promoted to a judge- 

 ship, the object of the appointment being to secure 

 a judge capable of dealing with the technicalities 

 of Patent cases. The result, as he told me, and as 



