14 



THE PAST AXD THE POSSIBLE FUTURE OF OUR 

 ASSOCIATIOK 



Address delivered on January 11th, 1887, bj' the President, 

 Henry E. Armst^rong, Pli. D., F.R.S., Sec. C.S., Professor of 

 •Chemistry iu tlie City and Guilds <if London Institute Central 

 Institution. 



Our Association was formally onsl itutcd at a meeting held at 

 the Clarendon Rooms, Lee Bridge, on February 4th, 1879, so 

 that we are in the ninth year of our existence. Those fully 

 acquainted with the inner working of the machine, know that Mr. 

 Jackson is to be regarded as our " jiious founder"; and in reviewing 

 the past of the Association, it is my first duty — it is almost 

 superfluous to say, my pleasing duty — to direct attention to the 

 •enthusiasm with which, as Hon. Secretary, he has during all these 

 years devoted himself to its service, and to assure him on behalf of 

 the ^Vssociation that we highly appreciate and value his labours. 



The objects of the Association are most clearly detined in the 

 :second of its rules : — 



2. The object of tlie Association shall be the dififusion of Scientific 

 Xnowledge among its Members, 



((() By the Reading and Discussion of Papers, and by Lectures, on 

 Stientific Subjects generally. 



(6) By Reports on the Progress of Science. 



c) By the Exhibition of Objects of Interest, New Inventions, &c. 



(d) By Excursions, Field Meetings, and Visits to Museums, Work- 

 shops, &c. 



The following addendum to the rules indicates what, in the 

 ■eyes of its jiromoters, was to be the function of the As.sociation, 

 and the mode of effecting its objects : — 



Original papers will always be welcomed, but it is scarcely to be expected 

 that they will be forthcoming, except on rare occasions, in a district so near 

 to London with its numerous Scientific Societies ; indeed, it is not proposed 

 that the Association shall perform the work of, and be conducted as, an 

 ordinary local Scientific Society. The intention is that those among its 

 members having Scientific knowledge shall, to the beat of their poA'er, 

 •enlighten their fellow members as to the aims, principles and methods of the 

 particular Sciences with which they are specially acquainted. 



It is also contemplated occasionally to invite the co-operation of non- 

 members in carrying on the work of the Association, although it is hoped that 

 it will be chiefly supported by internal effort. 



