252 

 THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 



A PAPER, READ IN THE ATHEN.EUM OP THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION, 



ON THE EVENING OF THE 15TH, OF OCTOBER, BY 



H. WOOLLCOMBE ESQ.— PRESIDENT. 



In compliance with the wishes of several of our 

 Members, I am about to give some account of the 

 proceedings of the British Association, at their late 

 meeting in Dublin ; and to endeavour to shew the 

 absurdity of many of the criticisms that have been 

 cast on them ; it is indeed, I believe, as far as regards 

 this Institution, unnecessary to answer these objec- 

 tions ; but, as I have been requested to point out 

 the folly and want of candour of many of these 

 critics, I will make the attempt, though I am by no 

 means disposed to vindicate in mass all the arrange- 

 ments, yet I can assign the grounds which have 

 induced some of our ablest men to maintain and 

 support those measures which are by others so 

 unduly censured. 



It will be remembered that this association origi- 

 nated in a desire to give a stronger impulse and a 

 more systematic direction to scientific enquiry, — to 

 promote the intercourse of those who cultivate science 

 in different parts of the British empire with one 

 another, and with foreign philosophers, — to obtain a 

 more general attention to the objects of science, and 

 a removal of any disadvantages of a public kind, 

 which impede its progress. 



If these objects of the association are praiseworthy, 

 we must enquire how far they are faithfully pursued 

 and followed up at the meetings which are annually 

 held for the avowed purpose of carrying them into 

 execution. And here I feel entitled to say, before 

 shewing what has been done at any of these meetings, 

 that, after the experience which the meetings at 

 Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh afforded, that it 

 is not very likely that mere love of amusement, 

 feasting, and frivolous entertainments ; or the gra- 

 tification of making complimentary speeches, con- 

 cluding with laudatory resolutions, v/ould draw such 



