ADDRESS 



BY 



MR. MURCHISOK 



CxENTLEMEN, — At the conclusion of the first Septenary which has 

 elapsed since the establishment of the British Association, the Council 

 have deemed it expedient to direct us to prepare a general and com- 

 prehensive view of its past progress and future prospects. In virtue, 

 therefore, of the commission thus entrusted to us, we shall endeavour 

 to perform a task which we cannot approach without a feeling of ap- 

 prehension and anxiety, impressed as we are with the difficulty of duly 

 appreciating the prominent labours of our associates, and of estimating 

 their bearing and probable influence on the advancement of science. 

 The space of time, however, which is allotted to this address, will not 

 allow us to attempt an analysis of all the past proceedings of the As- 

 sociation. We are therefore compelled to confine ourselves to a few 

 allusions to the reports of former meetings, (dwelling more particularly 

 on the last,) and to a statement of the great principles which form the 

 basis of our constitution, and which have directed and regulated its 

 practical operations. And if, in thus stating the aims of the Asso- 

 ciation, and the principles on Avhich it proceeds, we should be guilty of 

 repeating some things which have been better said before, we trust it 

 will be borne in mind, that from the migratory character of our meet- 

 ings, and the change which that character implies in the body of mem- 

 bers present at each, a probability arises, that those principles may 

 not be sufficiently understood, if they are not from time to time re- 

 stated and re-explained. 



It would be superfluous for us to speak of those objects of the As- 

 sociation which are the most obvious, and which undoubtedly con- 

 stitute the highest enjoyment these meetings afford us — the union of 

 congenial minds — the mutual communication, without let or hindrance, 

 of the knowledge we have acquired in our respective pursuits — the 

 scintillations of new ideas struck out in private conversation and pub- 

 lic discussion. " This feast of reason and this flow of soul," agreeable 

 and instructive as it is, requires no comment ; and though it contri- 

 butes most essentially to all the purposes for which we are assembled, 

 and gives life to all our proceedings, it is however on no account to be 

 regarded as the chief aim and business of our meetings. That which 



