Dr Whewell's Inaugural Lecture. 23 



bounty of Providence to man, thus bringing out of the earth, 

 in every varying clime, endless forms of vegetable life, of 

 which so many, and so many more than we yet can tell, are 

 adapted to sustain, to cheer, to benefit, to delight man, in 

 ways ever kind, ever large, ever new, and of which the no- 

 velty itself is a new source of delighted contemplation. 



I might go on to make other reflections upon the peculiar 

 characters of the various classes of the Great Exhibition, but 

 the time does not allow me, nor is it needful, since all that I 

 aspired to do was to offer to you specimens of such reflections. 

 Several of the classes will, no doubt, suggest appropriate re- 

 flections to those who have to deliver lectures to you on spe- 

 cial subjects. In the meantime, though I must now hasten 

 to a conclusion, I cannot but perceive how imperfectly I have 

 discharged even the limited task which I ventured to under- 

 take. For I have as yet said nothing of the eff'ect which 

 must be produced upon art and science by this gathering of 

 so many of the artists and scientists (if I may use the word) 

 of the world together ; by their joint study of the productions 

 of art from every land, by their endeavours to appreciate and 

 estimate the merits of productions, and instruments of pro- 

 duction ; of works of thought, skill, and beauty. 



In speculating concerning universities, we are accustomed 

 to think that, without underrating the effect of lectures and 

 tasks, of professors and teachers, still that among the most 

 precious results of such institutions is the effect produced 

 upon those who resort thither by their intercourse with, and 

 influence upon, each other. We know that by such inter- 

 course there is generated a community of view, a mutual re- 

 spect, and a general sympathy, with regard to the elements 

 of a liberal education, and the business of national, social, 

 and individual life, which clings to men ever after, and tends 

 to raise all to the level of the best. And some such eff^ect as 

 this would, we may suppose, be produced upon the students of 

 the useful and the beautiful arts by their resort to any univer- 

 sity in common. To any university, I have said ; but to what 

 a university have they been resorting during the past term \ 

 To a University of which the Colleges are all the great work- 

 shops and workyards, the schools and societies of arts, manu- 



