264 THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 



what is past. I grant that relaxation is necessary, 

 the human mind is not capable of such constant 

 tension, but these amusements may be found amongst 

 ourselves, at our ordinaries and evening parties, 

 where opportimities are afforded of communicating 

 with men w hich no other occasion furnishes. Jiut I 

 will appeal to your feelings, as Englishmen, whether 

 it would have been seemly, courteous, and friendly 

 at any time, and more especially in the present pe- 

 riod, when representing Eno^land for the moment, in 

 the Scotch and Irish capitals, to have refused any of 

 the modes by which iheir kindness and hospitality, 

 and warm-hearted friendship were tendered, it was to 

 you, it was to England, they were proffered. Could 

 we, as Englishmen, refuse such offerings of brotherly 

 attachment, under the guise of cold philosophy ? 

 No ! our country would have repudiated us as un- 

 worthy sons, we received with open arms the gene- 

 rous ])rofFer of friendship from Scotchmen and 

 Iiishmen as our brothers, and in the Zoological 

 Gardens of the Phoenix Park, and the Botanical 

 Gardens of Glasnevin, we regarded not so much the 

 viands, splendid and mao;nificent as they were, as 

 we hailed the union of hearts and minds ; which, 

 however designated by local divisions, were still 

 all British, were united in one common object for 

 the benefit of the whole race of man, as well as to 

 promote the welfare, increase the happiness, and 

 raise the character of the inhabitants of the Brit sU 

 Isles. 



