1 22 British Association for the Advancement of Science. 



where all is amity and goodwill. Who, likewise, does not 

 wish to be acquainted with the philosopher in common life ? 

 to know something of his character and manners, and how he 

 comports himself in the varied and interesting relations of so- 

 ciety ? In former times there seemed to be something of re- 

 pulsion in the deeper investigations of science, which kept 

 their cultivators on a sort of hallowed ground. In the retire- 

 ment and seclusion of the college or the cloisters, the man of 

 literature and science possessed a kind of superior and sepa- 

 rate existence. But as we know him better, awe and reve- 

 rence give place to love and esteem ; and we are gladdened 

 to find that those who can enlighten by their erudition, can 

 charm by their wit; and that the same mind which is distin- 

 guished for the grave severity of its philosophical pursuits, 

 can unbend itself to delight by vivacity, good temper, and 

 willing participation in the feelings and occupations of com- 

 mon life. 



No man is a hero to his valet de chambre, and no man is 

 a philosopher to his gyp ; but if close approximation is un- 

 favourable to the ignotum-pro-magnifico feeling; if distance 

 gives mellowness of prospect, and that sort of enchantment 

 on which poets love to dwell ; minuteness of observation, on 

 the other hand, exhibits nicety of structure and beauty of 

 appearance which art in vain attempts to imitate, and often 

 discovers amid the infinite peculiarities of human character, 

 virtues and excellences which elude cursory and general ob- 

 servation. 



I submit these observations with every feeling of respect 

 and deference, and with the most earnest wish that our goodly 

 structure may go on and prosper. We have nearly arrived at 

 an important epoch in our existence, that in which, having gone 

 through the universities of the United Kingdom, we are to 

 visit some of its principal cities ; and if anything more can 

 be done, than has already been attempted, to give greater ef- 

 fect to the operations of the Society, particularly by encour- 

 aging the afflux of foreigners as well as our countrymen at 

 its meetings, I have every confidence that the principal mem- 

 bers of the Council, to whom the Society has already been so 

 deeply indebted, will give every attention to the subject. 



At the formation of the British Association, I have under- 

 stood that one of the most distinguished members of our 

 Society suggested, that the plan of the Continental meetings 

 should be followed in establishing it. I know not what Sir 

 David Brewster's opinion may still be upon this point, but at all 

 events it is right for me to state that I have not the honour of his 



