221 



Microscopic Work and Conjectural Science, 



Being the Address of the President for the Year 1871. 



(Read July 28th, 1871 J 



This day our Club enters upon the seventh year of its exist- 

 ence. It began with eleven members, but now more than fifty 

 times that number are enrolled. May it steadily progress, and 

 may its usefulness increase with its success ! Founded in memory 

 of one whose whole life was devoted to the prosecution of those 

 branches of natural knowledge in which the microscope has done 

 good service for more than a century, our Club is a club for pro- 

 moting practical microscope work among its members. Quekett 

 worked, as only a thorough student can work, without affectation, 

 simply, generously, carefully, unremittingly. 



The Quekett Club works on incessantly, and rests by changing 

 the character of its occupation. By ordinary meetings, gossip 

 nights, excursions into the country, its activity is unceasing, and 

 the vigour of its health is continually renewed as it increases in 

 age. It needs no holidays, though it never rests ; for it recruits 

 its energies while it continues to labour, and it never gets tired, 

 because it frequently changes its work. Such have been the wise 

 enactments of the founders of our Club, and every year confirms 

 the wisdom of the principles which they laid down, for not only are 

 these now accepted by nearly 600 members, but several new clubs, 

 conducted on the same plan, have been established in every part of 

 the country, and are eminently successful. 



Though so numerous, we could find work for many times our pre- 

 sent numbers. No microscopical research, however complete, was 

 ever brought to a conclusion without the necessity for labours ten- 

 fold as extensive being demonstrated. Though little acknowledged, 

 minute research is at this time performing no unimportant part in 

 intellectual advancement, and by its aid such great changes in 

 thought may ere long be effected as are not dreamt of in the 



Journ. Q. M. C. No. 16. q 



