390 Meeting of British Association, 



ness of my own insignificance in this respect. I, a simple admirer 

 and would-be student of science, to take the place of the chief and 

 spokesman of the scientific men of the day, assembled in further- 

 ance of their important objects ! — the thing appeared to me im- 

 possible. Yet, on reflection, T came to the conclusion that, if not 

 as a contributor to, or director of your labours, I might still be 

 useful to you, useful to Science, by accepting your offer. Remem- 

 bering that this Association is a popular Association, not a secret 

 confraternity of men jealously guarding the mysteries of their 

 profession, but inviting the uninitiated, the public at large, to join 

 them, having as one of its objects to break down those imaginary 

 and hurtful barriers which exist between men of science and so- 

 called men of practice — I felt that I could, from the peculiar posi- 

 tion Providence has placed me in this country, appear as the 

 representative of that large public, which profits by and admires 

 your exertions, but is unable actively to join in them ; that my 

 election was an act of humility on your part, which to reject would 

 have looked like false humility, that is, like pride, on mine. But 

 I reflected further, and saw in mine acceptance the means, of 

 which necessarily so few are offered to Her Majesty, of testifying 

 to you, through the instrumentality of her husband, that your 

 labours are not unappreciated by your Sovereign, and that she 

 wishes her people to know this as well as yourselves. Guided by 

 these reflections, my choice was speedily made, for the path of 

 duty lay straight before me. 



If these, however, are the motives which have induced me to 

 accept your flattering offer of the Presidency, a request on my 

 part is hardly necessary that you will receive my efforts to fulfil 

 its duties with kind indulgence. 



If it were possible for anything to make me still more aware 

 how much I stand in need of this indulgence, it is the recollection 

 of the person whom I have succeeded as your President — a man 

 of whom this country is justly proud, and whose name stands 

 among the foremost of the Naturalists in Europe for his patience 

 in investigation, conscientiousness in observation, boldness of 

 imagination, and acuteness in reasoning. You have, no doubt, 

 listened with pleasure to his parting address, and I beg to thank 

 him for the flattering manner in which he has alluded to me in it. 



LOCAL FEATURES. 



The Association meets for the first time to-day in these regions 

 and in this ancient and interesting city. The Poet, in his works 



