382 British Association. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 



OXFORD, JUNE 27. 

 (From the AthenxRum^ January Sfc, 1860.) 



A day of sun and cloud, warm, soft, and sometimes bright, 

 ushered in the Meeting^ of the British Association for the 

 Advancement of Science. The Prince Consort came down 

 to Oxford to resign the Presidency of the Association, fle 

 was receiv^ed with the customary acclamations, by a large and 

 brilliant assembly, who filled the Sheldonian Theatre in almost 

 every part. The Chancellor, yice-Chancellor and all the heads of 

 the University were present, as well as the men of science from all 

 parts of Europe. After a few graceful words on the part he had 

 himself taken in watchino- and fosterinoj the proa'ress of Science 

 during the past year, and on the merits of his successor in the 

 Presidential Chair, the Prince Consort made way for Lord Wrot- 

 tesley, who rose and delivered the annual discourse. 



The President's Address. 



Gentleman of the British Association, — If, on taking this Chair 

 for the first time as your President, I do not enlarge upon my 

 deficiences for adequately filling the responsible office to which 

 you have done me the honour to elect me, I hope you will believe 

 that I am not tbe less sensible of them. 



Science in Oxford University/. 



We are now once more assembled in this ancient and vener- 

 able seat of learning ; and the first topic of interest which pres- 

 ents itself to me, who owes to Oxford what academic training I 

 have received, is the contrast pres'ented by the state of Science 

 and the teaching of Science in this University in the autumn of 

 the year 1814, when my residence here commenced, and for five 

 • years afterwards, with its present condition. As the private 

 pupil of the late Dr. Kidd, and within a few yards of the spot 

 from which I have now the honour to inauo-urate the Meetins^ of 

 this distinguished Association, I first imbibed that love of Science 

 from which some of the purest pleasures of my life have been 



