Proceedings qft/it British AssocialiuH. 447 



remarks, the learned Doctor concluded by proposing his ijio- 

 tion, which was seconded by Dr Lloyd, Provost of Trinity 

 College, Dublin. 



Votes of thanks were also voted to the College of Physicians, 

 Highland Society, and Proprietors of the Assembly Rooms, 

 for their great liberality in accommodating the Association. 



Votes of thanks were next voted seriatim to the Presidents 

 and other office-bearers of the Association. 



The vote of thanks to the Presidents was proposed by Mr 

 Whewell, and seconded by Professor Hamilton of Dublin. 

 The latter addressed the meeting nearly as follows : — 



I rise, in compliance with this call, to second the motion of 

 my friend Mr Whewell ; and I do so with the sincerest plea- 

 sure, though I should not have presumed, if uninvited, to come 

 forward on this occasion. How indeed, can I fail to feel deep 

 pleasure in seconding a motion, which directs your attention 

 and your thanks to a triad of men such as these — a triad con- 

 taining one, a countryman and friend of my own, who, along 

 with all that mathematical attainment, and all that scientific 

 diligence, of which Mr Whewell has spoken, combines a flow 

 of eloquence to which we all during this week have often been 

 delighted listeners, — a triad containing also another Vice-Pre- 

 sident, a native of Scotland, but whose name and fame are not 

 confined to Scotland, and who is known over the whole of Eu- 

 rope as the person who, by his experimental researches and sar 

 gacity, has done more perhaps than any living man for the 

 science of physical optics ; for that wonderful science, which, il- 

 lustrating each by each, the more beautiful phenomena of light, 

 and the subtlest properties of matter, enable us almost to feel the 

 minute vibrations, the ceaseless heavings and tremblings of that 

 mighty ocean of ether, which bathes the farthest stars, yet winds 

 its way through every labyrinth and pore of every body on 

 this earth of ours,— a triad, finally, containing as its head and 

 organ that scientific soldier, of more than European reputation, 

 who, while entrusted with the sword of his sovereign, and with 

 the glory of his country in a far distant land, had founded an 

 observatory in another sphere before he came to preside in this. 

 It would be difficult to narrate the benefit which has been con- 

 ferred on science by our President in the erection of that ob- 



ogS 



