27 



power ; but it is not easy to see how the spread of natural 

 knowledge is promoted thereby, or what advantage accrues 

 to science. Nor does the power of setting down other people 

 rest upon very scientific principles. The idea seems rather 

 to be taken from a leaf torn out of the book of the philosophy 

 of tyrants and despots, who endeavour to enslave everyone 

 but themselves, and trample upon the charter of scientific 

 liberty. 



From our side there is indeed much to be said upon the 

 great questions that agitate men's minds at this time ; but 

 we are mere microscopists ; and although we may know 

 something about the formation, and structure, and action of 

 the parts of which man is composed, it would be absurd to 

 suppose that we could form any opinion concerning man 

 himself. That must be left to those who study inorganic 

 matter and its forces. We are, I fear, condemned as unfitted 

 to survive in the struggle for existence, and must be con- 

 tented to form the material for sustaining our stronger bre- 

 thren, who, without us, would be in danger of perishing 

 from starvation. 



And now, gentlemen, I must thank you for the patience 

 you have shown towards me. I wish it had been possible 

 for me to have properly discharged the duties of the posi- 

 tion in which you placed me two years ago ; but my friend, 

 Dr. Braithwaite, whom you have elected as my successor, 

 and to whom I am indebted for occupying on several occa- 

 sions the chair I was obliged to desert, will more than make 

 amends for the short-comings of your late President. 



