398 Addresses delivered at the Commemoration 



very largely to the knowledge we at present possess on this subject; 

 and also to Dr. Bostock, who has also given his attention to that 

 function: — I am sure they are ready to confirm what I have now 

 stated. I think, therefore, that the discoveries of Dr. Priestley on the 

 subject of respiration may be regarded as among the happiest efforts 

 of his penetrating genius, inasmuch as they have contributed to 

 establish and fix correct views of that function. Every cultivator of 

 natural history must feel that Dr. Priestley is entitled to his warmest 

 gratitude ; and when we consider the great multitude of subjects 

 connected with science which have derived advantage from the labours 

 of Dr. Priestley, I think we may consider his name as reflecting honour 

 upon our country, as holding out a bright example for the imitation 

 of posterity, and as fully justifying the enthusiasm which I rejoice to 

 see animates this assembly. 



"Prosperity to the British Museum" having been associated with 

 the health of J. G. Children, Esq., Honorary Secretary to the Com- 

 mittee by whom the preliminary measures for the Commemoration 

 had been conducted, Mr. Children addressed the meeting nearly in 

 the following words: — 



I am not exactly aware what immediate connexion there is between 

 the British Museum and Dr. Priestley, except that his volumes form 

 one of the greatest ornaments of our library. I beg leave, however, 

 to return my thanks for the honour you have done the Trustees and 

 Officers of that establishment, and for the compliment you have paid 

 to me, as Honorary Secretary on the present gratifying occasion. 

 The labours of that office, which I am highly delighted in filling, have, 

 through the kindness of many gentlemen interested in this meeting, 

 (especially Mr. Taylor,) been of the lightest kind ; but were it pos- 

 sible that such duties could have been irksome, your approbation 

 would be ample compensation. But I must not omit this opportunity 

 of paying my tribute of respect to the memory of the Philosopher, the 

 hundredth anniversary of whose birth we are this day assembled to 

 celebrate. My honourable friends who have already addressed you, 

 have alluded with equal ability and eloquence to a variety of sub- 

 jects to which the labours of Dr. Priestley were directed. I beg 

 leave to call your attention to those which he devoted to electricity. 

 A science so abounding in brilliant phenomena could not fail to ex- 

 cite the strongest emotions in a mind like that of Priestley: who not 

 only fully appreciated the importance of the discoveries already made, 

 but with an almost prophetic spirit seems to have anticipated still 

 more important results reserved for a future period. I will not under- 

 take to quote his exact words, — but, in the History of Electricity 

 which has been justly eulogized by Mr. Taylor, — and it is impossible 

 to conceive a more valuable history, one more perfect in its arrange- 

 ment, more minute, and yet not tedious, — in that work he says, " By 

 pursuing this new light, the bounds of natural science may possibly 

 be extended beyond what we can now form an idea of : new worlds 

 may open to our view, and the discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton him- 

 self and all his cotemporaries be eclipsed by the labours of a new 





