10 



The establishment of the British Association for 

 the Advancement of Science was an event which the 

 scientific annals of this country will hand down 

 with pride and pleasure. Many of its features are 

 peculiar, yet their success has been fully commensurate 

 with their novelty. Of these not the least remark- 

 able or the least beneficial is its migratory character. 

 In every place where its meetings have been held, 

 it has not merely imparted a temporary stimulus to 

 scientific zeal, but has conferred valuable benefits. 

 When the ensuing meeting shall have taken place, it 

 will have visited in its course the ancient city of York, 

 the two EngHsh Universities, the provincial Capitals, 

 Edinburgh and Dublin, the great marts of commerce, 

 Bristol and Liverpool. 



Considering the intimate connection of numerous 

 branches of science with the staple manufactures of 

 Britain, it is clear that some manufacturing town must 

 soon be chosen for the place of meeting. Numerous 

 applications to this effect have been presented in former 

 years to the General Committee of the Association 

 from public bodies in Birmingham and Manchester, 

 and your Council, mindful of the benefits which would 

 be derived to the town of I^eeds from the meeting 

 taking place here, and of the claim which the great 

 centre of the woollen manufacture, the oldest, and for 

 centuries, the most important in the country, has on the 

 Association, gave instructions to their delegate to the 

 meeting at Bristol, to prefer, on its behalf, a request 

 that the next or an early meeting should be held in 

 Leeds. This application was duly recorded, but to 



