21 



far reaching intellect and his modest estimate of himself was able to per- 

 ceive, when he spoke of having picked up a few pebbles upon the shores 

 of the vast sea of truth. While however this is true, and while we grate- 

 fully acknowledge not only the marvellous character of the physical 

 universe, but still more the marvellous gift of intellect which has enabled 

 us to comprehend to some extent the wonders of that universe, I think it 

 is well that we should bear in mind, that the ultimate foundation upon 

 which the fabric of nature stands is almost, if not quite, as dark and 

 mysterious and unknown, as it was in olden days, before genuine science 

 had commenced its mighty and glorious career. 



For what is that physical universe which we examine with such care, 

 and in which we make such wonderful discoveries ? We know to a 

 great extent of what the earth is made ; and, as we have already seen, 

 science has lately been able to tell us something as to the materials of 

 the sun itself; and we are not content with a rough classification of 

 materials, but we have already been able to reduce the ultimate elements 

 of which matter is composed to very few.* Possibly the analysis is not 

 yet complete, and conceivably we may arrive at the discovery of one 

 ultimate entity of which every material substance is composed ; but what 

 will be the nature of that ultimate entity, and how much nearer shall we 

 be to the first cause and ground of existence, when we have reached 

 this at present distant goal ? This is not properly speaking a scientific 

 question. A scientific man would say, "Such questions are no business 

 of mine ; all that I have to do is to go on discovering truth." But the 

 question is one which / may very well ask, having reference to the 

 general scope of this Address, as announced at the opening of it ; and 

 I may ask it in connection with the discussion of the " Structure of 

 Matter," which occupies two chapters of the volume, to which I have 

 already referred as my help and companion in the composition of the 

 remarks which I am now laying before you. 



I shall pass over the rough suggestions of Lucretius, which, notwith- 

 standing the favour they have lately found in the eyes of an eminent 



* " All organic compounds, derived from the animal and vegetable kingdoms, 

 are composed almost wholly of four elements — Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and 

 Carbon." — National Cydopadia, Art: " Atomic Theory." 



2 



