xxxii REPORT — 1842. 



silence, which would require no apology, but for not calling on one of your 

 other functionaries to supply my place for the purpose. 



Slightly, indeed, before I sit down, I may presume to touch on one or two 

 topics which I may consider immediately illustrative of the advantages of 

 this Institution. In the first instance, however, allow me to indulge for a 

 moment in the expression of feelings of congratulation on the subject of the 

 particular locality which sees us here together. Guests and strangers will 

 excuse me — inhabitants, I think, will sympathise with me, if, as a neighbour, 

 and all but an inhabitant, I indulge in some avowal of complacency on this 

 subject. It is not merely that to this spot from which I now address you, 

 mechanical invention and skill have long been attracted as to one of their 

 principal centres ; nor that a neighbourhood so rich in mineral treasures 

 bears its own recommendation to the followers of several important branches 

 of natural science. These, with a host of other local reasons, might well 

 justify the selection of Manchester as a place of scientific assemblage. It 

 has, in my opinion, a claim of equal interest as the birth-place, and still the 

 residence and scene of the labours of one whose name is uttered with re- 

 spect wherever science is cultivated, who is here to-night to enjoy the 

 honours due to a long career of persevering devotion to knowledge, and to 

 receive, if he will condescend to do so, from myself, the expression of my 

 own deep personal regret, that increase of years, which to him, up to this 

 hour, has been but increase of wisdom, should have rendered him, in respect 

 of mere bodily strength, unable to fill, on this occasion, an office which, in 

 his case, would have received more honour than it could confer. I do 

 regret that any cause should have prevented the present meeting, in his 

 native town, from being associated with the name of Dalton as its President. 

 The Council well know my views and wishes in this matter, and that, could 

 my services have been available, I would gladly have served as a door-keeper 

 in any house where the father of science in Manchester was enjoying his just 

 pre-eminence. 



It is no part, as I consider it, of my present office to discuss the reasons 

 which have induced others to suppose that I might hold it, at least, without 

 prejudice to the interests of the Society, or of this meeting. With those who 

 originated its efforts, who conceived its formation, and who have tended it 

 from its cradle in York to its present vigorous maturity in Manchester, I 

 respectfully leave my apology. In addressing to you any remarks on the 

 objects we are met to promote, I can only do so in one way, by endeavouring 

 to convey to you the impressions of an unscientific man — the reasons which 

 induce me, as such, to wish success to its operations, and to defer to the 

 judgment of those who have thought I might be of service in my present 

 position. All readers of German literature must have observed the frequent 

 recurrence of a word which signifies the position from which an object is 

 viewed by the spectator — the Standtpunkt, or place of standing, meaning 

 the place from which an object is viewed by a spectator, the position of 

 which must govern the accuracy and extent alike of his vision. My view 

 of the vast temple of science which, raised by successive architects, is daily 

 deriving new additions, is dim, and distant, and shadowy. Not even a prose- 

 lyte of the gate, far less a Levite of the sanctuary, I cannot mould my lips 

 to any Shibboleth of entrance ; and though I fain would worship at a distance, 

 the echo of the ritual falls too faintly on my ear to allow me to join in the 

 service of the altar. The pile is a vast one ; but who shall live to pronounce 

 it complete? New edifices are daily arising round the central structure. 

 Many a shaft remains to be polished, and many a capital to be elaborated into 

 new forms of fitness and of beauty. The architects, I know, are at work. 



