HISTORY OF OUR SOCIETY. 203 
scientific articles, has had a very great effect in reducing 
the amount of new work to be recorded and brought to 
light by local societies. 
On the other hand, many more people are interested in 
science generally ; there are more subjects open for discussion, 
and it is gradually becoming clear to most thinking people 
that they have long been more or less scientific without 
knowing it, and that there is no necessity to be either a 
recluse, or a long-haired spectacled stoic, to be interested in 
or undertake scientific studies. 
Whereas, twenty years ago, we in Burton might well have 
expected our scientific brewers to have read papers on the 
science of brewing and the subjects allied to it, before this 
Society, now we know that besides the Chemical Society 
claiming more especially research work, there are other 
societies for the consideration of Chemistry, Geology, and 
Microscopy ; four Brewing Institutes; three or four brewing 
journals, besides a daily press omnivorous in its capacity 
for scientific and technical communications. We may thus 
feel satisfied that what was originally a most important 
feature in the work of societies like ours—I mean the 
providing an opportunity for placing new scientific work 
permanently on record—is now less likely to be required, 
and moreover, a greater general knowledge of scientific 
facts makes it less necessary to provide papers on the 
simple elementary aspects of science. There are how- 
ever now such a vast number of subjects upon which 
members may expect information, that the duties of your 
Secretary and Committee in arranging a programme should 
be less difficult. 
Our late President made a new departure which appealed 
very strongly to my present tastes, when, in his last presi- 
dential address he took up the more philosophical side of 
science, and I hope members will see the advantage of 
such a departure, and by their interest in such papers show 
