384 Biitish Association, 



to convince you that Oxford now contains among her resident Gra- 

 duates men amply qualified to establish and advance the scientific 

 fame of that University, of which they are the established orna- 

 ments. 



Museum — Study of Nature. 



I have already alluded to some particulars in which this great 

 University has advanced in the career of scientific improvement, but 

 everything else has been somewhat thrown into the shade by the 

 important event of this year, the opening of the new Museum. 

 The University could have given no more substantial proof of a 

 sincere interest in the diffusion of science than in the foundation of 

 this noble Institution ; and I am sure that among the distinguished 

 cultivators of science here assembled, there is not one who does not 

 entertain a hearty desire for the success of the various efforts now 

 in progress for the purpose of stimulating our University students 

 to a closer contemplation and more diligent study of the glorious 

 works of Nature, — a study which, if prosecuted earnestly, raises us 

 in the scale of human beings and improves every moral and in- 

 tellectual faculty. Towards the attainment of a result so much 

 to be desired, the Museum will most powerfully contribute ; and 

 those who frequent it will owe deep obligations to Mr. Hope and 

 the other benefactors who have generously added to its stores. But 

 there are other causes in operation which tend to the same end ; 

 and among them, in addition to such improvements as arise out 

 of the changes consequent on the recent Act of Parliament, may 

 be mentioned the alteration in the distribution of University 

 honours. 



The institution of the School of Physical Science forms a most 

 important feature in the recent changes, and will doubtless be pro- 

 ductive of good results, provided that suflBcient encouragement by 

 way of reward be held out to those whose tastes lead them to devote 

 themselves to those departments of knowledge, and that the com- 

 pulsory arrangements in respect of other studies allow suflScient 

 time to the student to accomplish his object. The great ma- 

 jority of physical students must necessarily belong to that class 

 who have their subsistence to earn ; and however earnest may be 

 their zeal for mental improvement, there will be few candidates 

 for the honours of the Physical School unless due encouragement 

 be given to excellence in that department. It was therefore with sin- 

 cere pleasure that I learned that three Fellowships had been 

 founded at Magdalen College as prizes for proficiency in Natural 



