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prominent interest and importance in the mathematical and physical 
sciences, bearing the names of some of the most eminent of the con- 
tinental philosophers. 
In concluding this imperfect review of our recent proceedings, we 
are led to observe, that in two essential respects the British Association 
differs from all the annual scientific meetings of the Continent; no one 
of which has printed Transactions or employed money in aiding special 
researches. We also differ from them in the communications which, 
in the name of the representatives of science assembled from all parts 
of the United Kingdom, we feel ourselves authorized to make to our 
Government, on subjects connected with the scientific character of 
the nation. On our first visit to Scotland, for example, we felt it to 
be an opprobrium, that this enlightened kingdom should, in one essen- 
tial feature of civilization, be still behind many of the continental states; 
and we prepared an address to his late Majesty’s Government, urging 
the necessity for the construction, without delay, of a map of Scotland, 
founded on the trigonometrical survey. Representations to the same 
effect have since been made by the Royal Society of Scotland, and 
by the Highland Society, and the subject has now engaged that atten- 
tion, which will, we trust, soon procure for this country the first sheets 
of a large and complete map. 
Should it then be asked, why are the men of highest station happy to 
associate and mingle with us in official duties ?—why have the heads 
of the noble houses of Fitzwilliam, Lansdowne*, Northampton, Bur- 
lington, Northumberland, and Breadalbane, alternated in presiding over 
us, with our Bucklands, our Sedgwicks, our Brisbanes, our Lloyds, and 
our Harcourts ?—why indeed, on this very occasion, has Argyll himself, 
overlooking the claims due to his high position, and his ancient lineage, 
come forward to act with us, and even to serve in asubordinate office ? 
may we not reply, that it is, we believe, a consequence of the just ap- 
preciation on the part of these patriotic and enlightened noblemen, of 
the beneficial influences which this Association exercises in so many 
ways on the sources of the nation’s power and honour ? 
If we have hitherto dwelt almost exclusively on the value of our 
transactions, researches, recommendations, and the good application 
of our finances, let it not, however, be supposed, that we are not also 
* The Marquis of Lansdowne, who had accepted the office (1836), was prevented 
from attending by deep domestic affliction, and the Marquis of Northampton cheer- 
fully supplied his place, 
