176 REPORT—1857. 
new and sound views being elicited; and indeed if the whole Section has not some 
general knowledge of the branch of science which has been committed to its care, 
what hope can there be that discussions will be heard with interest, and will have 
real efficiency in awakening and strengthening a taste for science? This has been 
felt, indeed strongly felt, at the Royal Society, where there are no Sections, and the 
subjects are of a very varied nature, comprehending the whole range of the Mathe- 
matical and Physical Sciences, and all the Natural Sciences. A paper perhaps is read 
on Pure Mathematics: very possibly there may not be in the room at the time more 
than two or three persons who are intimately acquainted with that branch of science : 
a discussion of course is out of the question. A paper follows on one of the Natural . 
Sciences: if there are a few who are working in that direction a discussion takes 
place; but it is of little interest even to those engaged in other branches of Natural 
Science ; and almost, if not altogether without interest to the Mathematician, the 
Chemist, the Astronomer, the Geologist, and the Physicist. So it rarely happens 
that there is a discussion at the Meetings of the Royal Society, of general interest or 
of real value; and for that there is no remedy. Here, by the happy expedient of 
breaking up the Association into separate Sections, the way has been prepared for dis- 
cussing subjects in that effective manner which, originating with the Geological 
Society, has already so much advanced geological science. 
Where one of the great objects of these meetings is to elicit truth by discussion, it 
is evident how unwise it would be to group together in one Section a variety of sub- 
jects, each requiring special studies, a special line of thinking, and specia] experiences. 
In Section A, human ingenuity and human knowledge are employed in the solution 
of mathematical and physical problems; while in Section G, human ingenuity and 
human knowledge, but of a different kind, are employed in the solution of questions 
of practical engineering. ‘This may so far perhaps be considered, in one sense at 
least, a sufficient answer to the question, why is a Mechanical Section necessary ? 
The question, however, may be put in another sense. Where the investigations are 
not abstract, but practical, and where the results generally are of immediate interest, 
is it necessary that the British Association should interfere at all? Will not private 
individuals, from motives of self-interest, devote themselves to the pursuit of Civil 
Engineering in its higher branches, without any adventitious stimulus? Will not 
public men, seeing that the interests of the State, both in peace and war, are bound 
up with the full development of the resources of engineering, make it their business 
to acquire such a general knowledge of the subject as will enable them to ascertain 
when and where to apply for aid in time of difficulty? The reverse unfortunately is 
the case ; experience has shown that men, whether in their private or public capacity, 
do not act in these matters exactly as we should expect; they do require both to be 
aided and urged forward. 
In this eminently practical country, private individuals, very often relying on ex- 
perience, neglect the means necessary to render calculation effective. Experience, 
however, is not always at hand, and is often very costly. How often do we see the 
ingenious mechanic working on false principles, vainly perhaps attempting to accom- 
plish something which a little elementary knowledge would have shown to be impos- 
sible! There are perhaps few gentlemen present who could not point out instances — 
where individuals had sustained heavy losses from the want of adequate theoretical 
knowledge. In his limited experience he had known several. This perhaps is a 
striking one. Some years ago he was invited by a physician of eminence in London 
to visit the works of an ingenious mechanic, who was endeavouring to employ air 
heated by gas as a prime mover. The physician had embarked £12,000 in the pro- — 
ject; a lady of wealth had speculated in it to the extent of £30,000; and various — 
individuals had advanced sums altogether to 2 large amount. At the entrance of the © 
premises there was the wreck of a gigantic machine of unknown construction: other — 
machines in a dilapidated state were lying about in all directions. It appeared from — 
the explanation of the mechanic, that these huge masses of ruined machinery had 
been constructed partly for the purpose of ascertaining facts to be found in every ele~ 
mentary treatise, and partly for the accomplishment of objects manifestly impossible. 
In the construction of the engine itself there was a striking display of great ingenuity 
constantly engaged in a struggle with the laws of nature. It was perfectly evident 
that the whole was fated to end in disappointment ; still the mechanic and his patrons, — 
