2 o THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



bution to the inspection and criticism of his comrades, and all hop- 

 ing to add in some degree to the sum total of human knowledge. 



The united presence of these two classes intensifies the interest 

 which naturally attaches to an occasion like this, and not unnatu- 

 rally suggests that a brief consideration of the relations that do 

 exist and which should exist between them may afford a profit- 

 able occupation for us this evening. 



In the beginning it may be truthfully affirmed that no other 

 single agency has done as much to establish these relations on a 

 proper basis as the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science. In the first article of its constitution the objects of the 

 Association are defined as follows : " By periodical and migratory 

 meetings, to promote intercourse between those who are culti- 

 vating science in different parts of the United States, to give a 

 stronger and more general impulse and a more systematic direc- 

 tion to scientific research in our country, and to procure for the 

 labors of scientific men increased facilities and a wider useful- 

 ness." So perfectly do these words enibody the spirit of the Asso- 

 ciation that when, more than thirty years later, the constitution 

 was thoroughly revised, none better could be found to give it ex- 

 pression. That it has been successful in promoting intercourse 

 between those who are cultivating science in different parts of the 

 United States may be proved by the testimony of thousands who 

 have come to know each other through attendance at its meetings. 

 In a country whose geographical limits are so extensive as ours 

 and whose scientific men are so widely scattered, it is difficult to 

 overestimate its value in this particular. 



In giving a stronger and more general impulse and a more sys- 

 tematic direction to scientific research in our country it has been 

 singularly fortunate. Its meetings have been the means of dis- 

 seminating proper methods of investigation and study through- 

 out the land ; hundreds of young students, enthusiastic but often 

 not well trained, have found themselves welcome (sometimes to 

 their own astonishment), and by its influence and encouragement 

 have been molded and guided in the utilization of their endow- 

 ments, occasionally exceptional, to the end that they have finally 

 won a fame and renown which must always be treasured by the 

 Association as among its richest possessions. Wherever its migra- 

 tory meetings have been held the pulse of intelligence has been 

 quickened, local institutions have been encouraged and strength- 

 ened, or created where they did not before exist, and men of sci- 

 ence have been brought into closer relations with an intelligent 

 public. 



But it is in relation to the last of the three great objects, to ac- 

 complish which the Association was organized, namely, " to pro- 

 cure for the labors of scientific men increased facilities and a 



