48 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



agent, having but little control or responsibility in all those Important 

 matters. 



If the theory here advanced is the true law of human increase, it is 

 not a mere theory or an abstract general principle, but is capable of 

 almost endless application, far more than can be enumerated. It will 

 enable us to understand far better the nature of man, his duties and 

 responsibilities in relation to himself, to the family, to society at large, 

 and particularly to his Maker. It will furnish us a guide or great 

 principle by which certain practices and fashions in society, certain 

 modes of education, systems of morals, acts of legislation, etc., can be 

 tested. It will throw new light upon what constitutes the true grounds 

 of human progress and the real sources of an advancing civilization. 



In closing this paper, it may be proper to state briefly what are the 

 elements, or what is understood to constitute this law of population. 

 It is based upon a perfect development of all the organs of the human 

 body, so that there shall be a perfect harmony in the p>erforntance of all 

 their respective functions. It presupposes that other conditions are fa- 

 vorable, such as the age, the union, and the adaptation of the married 

 parties provided no natural laws are violated or interfered with 

 there will uniformly be found with such an organization, not only the 

 greatest number of children, but they will be endowed with the high- 

 est amount of physical vigor, strength, and health. We should also 

 expect the best development of all parts of the brain, giving balance 

 and symmetry to all mental qualities, whether social, intellectual, or 

 moral. It should be further added that, inasmuch as perfect standards 

 are not found, the nearer this normal standard of physiology is ap- 

 proached by all parties concerned, the more complete will be found the 

 fulfillment of this law. 



SCIENCE m EELATION TO THE AETS * 



By C. WILLIAM SIEMENS, F. E. S. 



IN" venturing to address the British Association from this chair, I 

 feel that I have taken upon myself a task involving very serious 

 responsibility. The Association has for half a century fulfilled the im- 

 portant mission of drawing together, once every year, scientists from 

 all parts of the country for the purpose of discussing questions of 

 mutual interest, and of cultivating those personal relations which aid so 

 powerfully in harmonizing views, and in stimulating concerted action 

 for the advancement of science. 



A sad event casts a shadow over our gathering. While still mourn- 

 ing the irreparable loss science had sustained in the person of Charles 



* Presidential Address, delivered at the Fifty-ninth Annual Meeting of the British 

 Association, held at Southampton, August 23, 1882. 



