1234 president's address. 



If this may be received as a definition of Science in the scliool, 

 many objections made sometimes in good faith, and sometimes 

 from mere indolence, but sometimes also out of hostility open 

 or dissembled, will be found to disappear. It is reasonably said 

 for instance that an average schoolboy cannot be allowed the run 

 of a Chemical Laboratory, much less a dozen of them together. 

 The stenches and explosions in which their science would surely 

 exhibit itself, and to which it would confine its investigations, 

 would at least unfit the school for occupation, even if the walls 

 might be left standing. The Physical Laboratory would prove 

 even more fatal. Electric shocks and flashes would from time 

 to time decimate the scientist detachment, though a glorious 

 enthusiasm might quickly fill the vacant places. 



It is difficult to write seriously upon this objection, which is 

 perfectly good. The only fault of it is that no one in his senses has 

 ever proposed such lunatic arrangements, even if they have in 

 certain cases actually been made. But carefully conducted experi- 

 ments, with still more carefully constructed explanations are possible 

 enough in Mechanics, Physics, and Chemistry, and will be of 

 advantage to the average. All special capacity in any subject may 

 possibly enjoy special indulgence. But I think experiments 

 carried out by the pupil in person had better be made at home. 



Again, in all the Physical Sciences artificial apparatus is 

 essential. And this is a very real difficulty in the case of primary 

 schools, and not unimportant in the case of others. 



Moreover the actions illustrated are foreign to daily experience, or 

 at least not constantly suggested to our observation. In Natural 

 History on the contrary we are always in the Laboratory. The 

 most tremendous yet, to us, the most trivial phenomena are inces- 

 santly appealing to our senses and our intellect, and it is only our 

 schooling that renders us apathetic, blind and deaf, and dead to 

 their challenge. 



The courses of the Sun and Moon, the Starry Heavens, Winds 

 and Clouds, Rain and Dew, Springs and Watercourses, Hill and 



