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THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



THE RELATIVE MERITS OF THE LONG- AND SHORT- 

 TUBE MICROSCOPES. 



By E. J. Spitta, F.R.M.S., F.R.A.S. 



{Delivered February 16th, 1906.*) 



Gentlemen, — 



It was my intention at the last meeting, had there 

 been time, to explain that I proposed this evening breaking 

 through the conventional form of presidential address. It has 

 been the custom for the President to choose a subject for this 

 purpose, to enumerate the details connected therewith, and to 

 dilate upon them in all their bearings. To-night, however, I 

 propose to make this change : I shall say a few words upon the 

 rival merits of the long- and short-tube form of microscope, but 

 leave you to discuss the subject. 



I think this is only in keeping with what you have heard me 

 say before now, that I consider one of the real values of a society 

 of this nature is to enlarge one's view upon any subject micro- 

 scopical. You can easily understand that the philosopher in his 

 study is apt to look out of his window and think the world 

 uncommonly small — little, in fact, beyond that which is embraced 

 in his narrow angle of view. If he comes to a society of this 

 kind he will quickly find, with so many enthusiastic and able 

 men present, that he is mistaken, and that his views have been 

 too narrow ; whereupon his mind becomes enlarged, the subject 

 of his study is propagated and discussed, and science is thereby 

 advanced. 



The reason I have chosen the subject mentioned for my address 

 to-night is because I think it is one of universal interest. I can 



