XXKIX 
former occasions, we have the pleasure of seeing amongst us,—one 
of our warmest supporters and most active members. 
In the volume of our Transactions now under notice, is contained the 
memorial presented to Lord Melbourne by the Committee of the 
British Association, appointed to represent to Her Majesty’s Govern- 
ment the recommendations of the Association on the subject of Ter- 
restrial Magnetism. This memorial is one of many services which 
have been rendered to our cause by Sir John Herschel, whose name, 
whose influence, and whose exertions, since our meeting two years 
since at Newcastle, have largely contributed to place the subject 
where it now stands. The devoted labour of other of our members 
has long been given to an object which they have had deeply at heart, 
viz. the advancement of the science of terrestrial magnetism ; but the 
sacrifice which Sir John Herschel has made of time, diverted from the 
great work, in which his ardent love of astronomy, his own personal 
fame, and his father’s memory are all deeply concerned, the more ur- 
gently demands from our justice a grateful mention, because the 
science of magnetism had no claim on him, beyond the interest felt in 
every branch of science, by one to whom no part of its wide field is 
strange, and the regard which a national undertaking such as this de- 
served, from the person who occupies his distinguished station amongst 
the leaders of British science. 
The advancement of human knowledge, which may be reckoned 
upon as the certain consequence of the Antarctic expedition (should 
Providence crown it with success), and of the arrangements connected 
with it, is of so extensive a nature, and of such incalculable importance, 
that no juster title to real and lasting glory than it may be expected 
to confer, has been earned by any country at any period of time; no- 
thing has ever been attempted by England more worthy of the place 
which she occupies in the scale of nations. When much which now 
appears of magnitude in the eyes of politicians has passed into insig- 
nificance, the fruits of this undertaking will distinguish the age which 
gave it birth, and, engraved on the durable records of science, will for 
ever reflect honour on the scientific bodies which planned and promoted 
it, and on the Government which, with so much liberality, has carried 
it into effect. 
Were the value of this Association, Gentlemen, to be measured only 
by the part which it has taken in suggesting and urging this one ob- 
ject, there might here be enough to satisfy the doubts of those who 
question its utility. To overlook such acts as these, and the power of 
public usefulness which they indicate, to scrutinize with microscopic 
