102 THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



began when men having observed the phenomena of refraction, per- 

 haps even for the first time in a dew-drop on a rose-leaf, and next 

 in the tear of glass so closely resembling it, had so far reasoned on 

 their cause as to reproduce and vary their effects by variation of 

 shape, and thus to extend their applications. It is evident then that 

 the present art of Microscopy is the result of a wonderful series of 

 inventions from its birth. But the Science dates from the period 

 when the Lens ceased to be a mere toy, as it probably was at first ; 

 and having been constructed by definite rules and applied to definite 

 purposes, enabled men to make the wonderful discoveries which have 

 well-nigh ceased to astonish us in these days, on account of our 

 familarity with them, and our conviction that the applications of scien- 

 tific principles, as well as their extensions, are practically illimitable. 

 And yet some are despondent enough to affirm that Scientific 

 Microscopy is " played out." But I am very far from sharing this 

 opinion ; on the contrary, I firmly believe that a new era of discovery 

 has dawned upon us, and that it has been inaugurated by the inven- 

 tion of new and effectual methods of producing what is technically 

 called " the Differentiation of Tissues," by single and double stain- 

 ing, by the Polariscope ; as also in the case of the fluids, as well as 

 in that of the chemical elements and compounds, by the use of the 

 Spectroscope. Nor must the defining powers of rays of greatly in- 

 tensified oblique light on surfaces be omitted. 



It will readily be seen, by these few and cursory remarks, how far 

 the phrases Art and Science are mutually interchangeable as respects 

 Microscopy. The plain fact is that the scientific results have been so 

 mixed up from the beginning with the development of the instru- 

 ment by which they were effected, that it is diffiult, nay, well nigh 

 impossible, at this period to separate them. Another point of view 

 from which to regard the argument is the axiom that Art " sees" — 

 Science "looks." Now " Seeing" is a state passive and receptive, 

 " looking" is a voluntary act, it is " the man within coming to the 

 window." Seeing is registrative only ; Looking is actively and 

 thoughtfully meditative. Gentlemen, I have noted those amongst us 

 in this Society, who have passed with infinite credit to themselves 



nearly stumbled on a more remarkable discovery, the composition of light, 

 for he mentions the possibility of producing an artificial rain-bow, by the 

 use of an angular glass rod. At a far earlier period Aristophanes speaks of 

 the iiaXug " a transparent substance used to light fires with "—usually 

 translated glass. The passage is too long to quote, but " it is curious, as it 

 shews a perfect acquaintance with the use of the burning glass." (" Dyer's 

 Pompeii," p. 563.) 



