THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION MEETING. 



493 



and its influence, in large measure, in the social soil into which it 

 sends its roots. Social influence is one of the most powerful factors 

 in English life and one of the most powerful in politics. The British 

 Association gains much of its prestige from its social and political set- 

 ting, and in directing social and political power no one interest is so 

 strong as that of the established church. 



Interior of the Hall, Trinity College. 



Looking at this great gathering from the standpoint of an inter- 

 ested outsider, the American who studies it can not but be impressed 

 by its possibilities for usefulness in scientific and in national develop- 

 ment. It is a fine thing to bring together the representatives of sci- 

 ence, of politics, of religion and to have them meet face to face a large 

 body of men and women drawn from the most intelligent homes in the 

 kingdom. The general effect of all this is somewhat neutralized by 

 the social machinery through which it works, but allowing for all this 

 it still seems evident that such a gathering is a source of great intel- 

 lectual stimulus both to the scientific men and to the public. It is no 



