ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR DAUBENY. XXIU 



heat which attend upon combustion, no less than in the awful phenomena 

 of a thunder-storm. 



Considering the connexion that subsists between the sciences of Heat, 

 Electricity, and Magnetism, and considering, likewise, the efforts made 

 with various degrees of success, and by men of very unequal pretensions, 

 to develop the laws of each of these sciences in accordance with ma- 

 thematical formulae, one cannot wonder that the Association should have 

 been anxious to assign to a member, no less distinguished for the depth 

 of his mathematical attainments than for the range of his acquaintance 

 with modem science, the task of drawing up a Report on the theories 

 of these three departments of Physics, considered in relation one to the 

 other. This accordingly has been executed by Mr. Whewell, whose 

 Report stands at the commencement of the volume. 



The point of view in which he was directed to contemplate the sub- 

 ject possesses an interest to all who are engaged in the investigation of 

 natural phenomena, whatever may have been the particular bent to which 

 their researches have been directed. 



All the physical sciences aspire to become in time mathematical: the 

 summit of their ambition, and the ultimate aim of the efforts of their 

 votaries, is to obtain their recognition as the worthy sisters of the no- 

 blest of these sciences — Physical Astronomy. But their reception into 

 this privileged and exalted order is not a point to be lightly conceded ; 

 nor are the speculations of modern times to be admitted into this august 

 circle, merely because their admirers have chosen to cast over them a 

 garb, oftentimes ill-fitting and inappropriate, of mathematical symbols. 

 To weigh the credentials of the three physical sciences which have been 

 pointed out as mathematical, was therefore a proper office for the Asso- 

 ciation to impose upon one of its members ; and I believe it will be 

 found that no small light has been thrown upon the subject by the 

 manner in which that trust has been discharged. 



With regard, however, to Magnetism, which forms one of the sub- 

 jects of Mr. Whewell's Report, much still remains to be done, before 

 the mathematician can flatter himself that a secure foundation for his 

 calculations has been established ; and the materials for this foundation 

 must be collected from such a variety of isolated points, distant one from 

 the other, both in time and place, dependent for their accuracy upon 

 the occuiTence of favourable circumstances, and, after all, demanding 

 from the obser\'er an uncommon union of skill and experience, that 

 there is perhaps no scientific undertaking for which the co-operation of 

 public bodies, and even of governments, is more imperiously demanded; 

 and the Association has, in consequence, both engaged its members in 



