242 THE president's address. 



both in this country and on the other side of the Atlantic, the 

 results have been most encouraging. 



In this busy, work-a-day world, in this metropolis especially, it 

 is well for men to have some occupation for head and hand, out of 

 and apart from their every-day occupations and pursuits. It is 

 miserable for a man to have nothing to turn to for diversion and 

 refreshment^ for amusement in the high and proper sense of the 

 word — from his daily avocations. 



In my address to you last year I dwelt at some length upon the 

 educational uses of the microscope, and pointed out the manner in 

 which working with the microscope tends to encourage the use of 

 the hands, to develop the powers of observation, and to exercise 

 the faculty of scientific interpretation. I now venture to allude to 

 the microscope as affording one of the best and readiest sources 

 of diversion from the anxieties and cares of business, and the brain 

 wrack of professional life. I might go even further. A valued 

 friend of mine, who is slowly dying from one of the most painful 

 and tedious maladies to which humanity is liable, and who knows 

 but too well the hopelessness and irremediable character of his 

 disease, writes to me but the other day in these words : — " In the 

 intervals of more serious thought I solace myself by working with 

 my microscope, and in contemplating the beauties and wonders it 

 reveals." * 



The objects with which the microscope make us acquainted are 

 endless in their variety, inexhaustible in their interest, and almost 

 incomparable in their beauty. 



Moreover, new methods of research, and new aids to observation 

 are being devised before the capabilities of the older and well- 

 known methods are exhausted. Need I remind you that since 

 I addressed you last year Messrs. Powell and Lealand have 

 developed to a wonderful extent the applicability of the immersion 

 principle, and have shown us with comparative ease what we have 

 never seen so well before ? Need I remind you of the clear and al- 

 most perfect demonstration of the true structure of the Diatom- 

 valves and their markings, which has been given by my friend, the 

 President of the Royal Microscopical Society, by means of his new 

 method of prism illumination ? And now this evening you will 



* Since this address was delivered a paper has been communicated to the Club 

 by the friend to whom I allude. This paper was read on the evening of the day 

 ou which the author's death was announced in the / imes. 



