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to play in the future ; tliat it has a mission to perform. Science 

 is coming more and more to the front every day. Not long ago 

 it was a sort of Cinderella in the household of learning, a despised 

 drudge, looked down upon by its haughty sisters. Literature and 

 Philosophy. But recently science has possessed herself of her 

 little glass slipper, and she has risen to honour. (Cheers.) And 

 I take it that science will daily increase its dominion over us ; 

 that it will minister more and more, in ways that can scarcely 

 yet be surmised, to the comfort, well-being, and convenience of 

 our daily lives. (Cheers.) Only on Friday last I saw handed 

 round, at a meeting in London, bickers full of a pale blue fluid 

 bubbling furiously ; and that fluid was composed of the 

 atmosphere we breathe, which had been condensed and liquifled. 

 I saw plunged into that fluid bunches of flowers, feathers, and 

 other substances ; and when withdrawn they were emitting 

 light. They brilliantly illuminated the room by their 

 phosphorescence. I was privileged there to see the demonstration 

 of the latest discovery of science. The discovery was made by a 

 typical Scotsman, Professor Dewar, and carried through in the 

 laboratory of the Royal Institution. But, it may be asked, 

 what is the good of this liquid air '? And it must be admitted 

 that we don't at present recognise its utility. But had the same 

 question been asked about electricity when it was first discovered, 

 or about liquid carbonic acid a few years ago, an answer exactly 

 the same must have been returned. We must have a deep and 

 earnest faith that all knowledge is power ; that every scientific 

 discovery, no matter how minute or trivial — whether made in 

 the laboratory of tlie Royal Institution in London or by a 

 member of this Society — will be woven into the warp and woof of 

 scientific knowledge and have its important place. As science is 

 advancing very much, it seems to me more and more important 

 that all educated men and women sliould possess a knowledge of 

 it — should acquaint themselves with the scientific method and 

 have a knowledge of some branch of science. Therefore it seems 

 to me important that thoughtful and educated people, who do 

 not live in university towns or in great cities, where opportunities 

 for study abound, should have opportunities for scientific study 

 and intercourse for increasing their knowledge of advancing 

 science ; facilities which are to some extent provided by the 

 society, under whose auspices we ai-e met this evening. I do 

 believe that in the future this Dumfries Society will greatly 



