Proceedings of the British Association. 373 



tion which I now occupy, — which would require almost univer- 

 sal knowledge, — and for which I am indebted to the kind indul- 

 gence of the Association, and not to any merit of my own, — but 

 for which mark of high distinction I beg to express my unbound- 

 ed gratitude. I must also acknowledge the great obligations I 

 feel towards my learned and eloquent predecessor, for the kind, 

 though unmerited compliments, he has been pleased to bestow 

 upon me. Although Edinburgh cannot boast of the accom- 

 modation, or ever attempt to rival the boundless hospitality, 

 the Association experienced at the English Universities, still I 

 feel confident my countrymen will yield in no degree to them 

 in giving the Association the best possible reception, with a ' 

 desire to uphold the national character for hospitality, as all 

 ranks must hail with enthusiasm and much gratification, men 

 who have done so much towards the extension of the bounda- 

 ries of human knowledge and comfort, as those who are now 

 assembled in this ancient capital, which has given birth to in- 

 dividuals who have done honour to human nature, and amongst 

 whom many could have been found who would have adorned 

 this Chair, in the place of the humble individual who has now the 

 honour to address you — indeed I need not go farther than my 

 nearest learned friend on the right (Sir David Brewster), one of 

 our Vice-presidents. It is but justice to the Principal and Pro- 

 fessors of the University to say, they have done all in their 

 power to afford every accommodation, and the free use of the 

 class-rooms and other public rooms in the College, which are ad- 

 mirably adapted for the sectional and other meetings. Other 

 public bodies have not been backward in the same offers. The 

 noblemen and gentlemen in the neighbourhood have expressed 

 their desire to promote the objects of the Association. — After 

 the luminous expose we have just heard from my learned pre- 

 decessor, he has left me no subjects to touch upon. Professor 

 Forbes has kindly undertaken the task of detailing the labours 

 of the Association since our last meeting ; and I need not say 

 it could not be in better hands. I shall therefore not waste the 

 time of the meeting, but conclude by congratulating the As- 

 sociation on its prosperous condition, and I have no doubt it 

 will go on progressively until its beneficial effects shall be felt, 

 not only over the whole of the united empire of Great Britain, 

 but even throughout Europe, or the globe we inhabit. 



