104 THE president's ADDRESS. 



very rapidly in its onward course ; but assuredly the waters of 

 knowledge have been spreading over a larger and larger area. 



The microscope has now fully entered what may be called the 

 third period of its general history. At first it was little better than 

 a toy. It served to kindle wonder and to excite curiosity ; and 

 BO far, perhaps, it was useful. But it failed altogether to satisfy 

 the earnest student of nature. Correctness of interpretation could 

 not be ensured until greater clearness of vision was obtained. In 

 its next stage of development the microscope became an instru- 

 ment of research of almost unrivalled value. By its aid dis- 

 coveries of the greatest interest and importance were made in rapid 

 succession. Fields for investigation hitherto unknown, but now 

 found full of rich promise, were opened up. New departments of 

 science were created. But though the harvest was rich, the workers 

 were few ; and these few for the most part were of those who de- 

 voted themselves more or less exclusively to scientific pursuits. 

 Now however in this, the third period of its history, the 

 microscope has come into much more general use. It is still 

 the instrument of strict scientific research. In the hands of 

 the few it goes on yielding results of increasing accuracy and 

 truthfulness, and therefore of increasing value. It enables us to 

 see clearly where before we had but dim glimpses. And thus it 

 continues to aid us in our attempts to solve some of the deepest, 

 and most intricate problems of our material being. But more than 

 this, the microscope is now in the hands of the many. Its value 

 is recognised in the instruction of the yoimg. To the student of 

 abstract science and to the man of letters, it affords a refreshing 

 change of study and occupation ; and the active man of business 

 finds it a never-failing scource of amusement and recreation of the 

 truest and best kind. 



This consideration leads me to topics in which we are all 

 interested — I mean the present success and future prospects of the 

 Quekett Microscopical Club. It is said that the talk of lovers is 

 so interesting becaiise, with whatever subject they start, the 

 conversation soon comes round to themselves. And thus we come 

 round to speak of ourselves. 



Well, gentlemen, I think we may most fairly and most heartily 

 congratulate ourselves upon the position of our Club. We have 

 been eminently successful thus far ; and there is every prospect 



