The Presidenr 8 Address. 287 



came to the resolution of discontinuing the observations at 

 Kew, appropriating, at the same time, an adequate sum for 

 completing those which were in progress, and for reducing and 

 discussing the five years' electrical observations which had 

 been published in our annual reports. I trust, however, that 

 means will yet be found to maintain the Observatory in full 

 activity, and carry out the original objects contemplated by 

 the Committee. Having had an opportunity of visiting this 

 establishment a few weeks ago this summer, after having 

 inspected two of the best conducted Observatories on the 

 Continent where the same class of observations are made, I 

 have no hesitation in speaking in the highest terms of the 

 value of Mr Ronalds' labours, and in recommending the 

 institution which he so liberally superintends to the 'con- 

 tinued protection of the Association, and the continued 

 liberality of the Royal Society. From the facts which I have 

 already mentioned, and from many others to which I might 

 have referred, the members of the Association will observe, 

 with no common pleasure, that the Government of this country 

 have, during the last twenty years, been extending their patron- 

 age of science and the arts. That this change was effected 

 by the interference of the British Association, and by the 

 writings and personal exertions of its members, could, were 

 it necessary, be easily proved. But though men of all shades 

 of political feeling have applauded the growing wisdom and 

 liberality of the State ; and, though various individuals are 

 entitled to share in the applause, yet there is one statesman, 

 alas ! too early and too painfully torn from the affections of 

 bis country, whom the science of England must ever regard as 

 its warmest friend and its greatest benefactor. To him we 

 owe new institutions for advancing science, and new colleges 

 for extending education ; and, had Providence permitted him 

 to follow out in the serene evening of life, and in the matu- 

 rity of his powerful intellect, the views which he had cherished 

 amid the distractions of political strife, he would have rivalled 

 the Colbert of another age, and would have completed the 

 systematic organization of science and literature and art, 

 which has been the pride and the glory of another land. 

 These are not the words of idle eulogy, or the expressions of 

 a groundless expectation. Sir Robert Peel had entertained 



