COMMITTEE OF BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 121 



*' Thirdly, comes the stimulation of mutual example and rivalry. The Local 

 Societies are especially noted for their wide-reaching aims and the all-embracin<jj 

 list of subjects which they pursue, not less than for the steady, persevering 

 persistence with which they will follow up lines of inquiry often as tedious as they 

 are ini})ortant. Again, local focilities or individual genius often place one society 

 or other on some bias or enabled it to do brilliant work in some one direction. 

 The force of such example is never lost upon the other societies, who may extend 

 and even amplify the results thus obtained. 



•' In the fourth place, the Conference has the power, too little used, to ask 

 for grants, and hence to back those of the Sections. This should have the 

 effect of helping on those researches which have a local bearing. 



" In the last place the Association itself protits in receiving each year 

 delegates Irom all over the country, neing thus aided in maintaining the 

 cosmopolitanism which is one of its leading characteristics. 



*' On looking through the proceedings of the Conference since its beginning, I 

 have been struck by the appositeness and importance of the subjects brought 

 before its consideration. I know that you will not all agree with me on this 

 point, but my distinct impression is that the distinguished men who have served 

 as your secretaries have brought much skill and judgment to the task of selection. 

 An improvement might be suggested, all the more readily as it rests in your own 

 hands. I should like to see each year at least one delegate bring up some topic 

 which has been treated with conspicuous success by his own Society— not merely 

 a few casual words dropped into a discussion, but a considered paper dealing with 

 the technique of an investigation, its difficulties and pitfalls, and some of the con- 

 clusions to which it is leading. Suggestions, whether from the inside or outside, 

 as to a desirable piece of work which might be carried out, are usually barren, 

 unless somebody has actually made the experiment and can give hint?, warnings, 

 advice, and suggestions for improvement." 



* * * * * * * 



" Then we have museums in the country containing collections of considerable 

 local interest, and this suggests a further topic. jSIany societies are handing over 

 their museums to county and town councils, in some cases with considerable 

 success. I would suggest to societies that they should retain a large share in the 

 control of such museums until the town and county authorities have been 

 thoroughly tried. 



At rare intervals there arises in most localities someone with a keen passion 

 for museum arrangement and management. Treasure such a person for all he is 

 worth ; work him, unmercifully if necessary, but work him hard ; give him a 

 fixirly free hand ; beg, borrow, or steal for his wants ; and get everything you 

 possibly can out of him while he lasts, for such persons die young. If once a 

 museum is got into thorough order, made accessible and attractive, the good effect 

 may last for half a generation— possibly until another prodigy or the paid curator 



arrives." 



After referring to the many subjects annually brought under 

 tlie notice of the Conferences, Prof. Watts thus spoke of some 

 useful and feasible branches of local geological work : — 



" The first geological survey of the country is now nearing completion, and in 

 the maps there is a wealth of raw material for the local investigator. No one 

 knows better than the geological surveyor that his work is only just begun when 



