22 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. — SECTION I. 



IS ETHER. Matter can be changed from one form into another. 

 If the process can be carried on in one direction, from a heavy 

 metal to a hght one, why not in the contrary direction ? Matter 

 has great potentiahties, great power for change, but it can never 

 die, can never be destroyed. 



The scientific man is sometimes regarded as a dull creature, 

 without imagination, with no regard for anything save hard fact. 

 This is not true. Who can think on such subjects as I have very 

 imperfectly put before you in this address without being filled 

 with awe and wonder at the audacity of an imagination which 

 can lead him to picture the origin of all things, to realise that there 

 can be no end, that matter must persist ; matter, once created, 

 can never die. Do you remember Tennyson's lines, written with 

 admirable prophetic insight : — 



" The world was never made, 

 It will change, but it wuU not fade. 

 So let the wind range. 

 For even and morn 



Ever will be 



Through eternity 

 Nothing was born 

 Nothing will die. 

 All things will change." 



Ether will change into matter. 



