ADDRESS. Xlix 



versity, which doubtless deserves the gratitude of this Association, for the 

 support rendered to it, when such fostering care was most needed, in the 

 infancy of its existence. 



And if other reasons for the selection are sought for, I would refer it also 

 to the accident of my birth, and to the partiality of my friends in the County 

 where we are now assembled, to whom I flatter myself it may be a matter 

 of satisfaction, to see thus distinguished, an individual whom they regard 

 as one of themselves, and one too who owes his position in life, and his capa- 

 bility of indulging in those studies which here engage us, mainly to the good 

 fortune of attaining, in the University alluded to, a Gloucestershire Fellow- 

 ship. 



With respect indeed to any personal claims I have to prefer for occupying 

 60 distinguished a post, the most that could be alleged in my behalf is the 

 having from the commencement of this Association done what I could to pro- 

 mote its success, and to enlist others in its service ; persuaded, as I have ever 

 been, that it could not fail to prove a most efficient instrument for the further- 

 ance of scientific objects, not only through the direct influence of its Meetings 

 in promoting a friendly intercourse and a free interchange of opinions amongst 

 those devoted to kindred pursuits, but also indirectly, by engaging the Public 

 in various useful undertakings, which Science indeed might have suggested, 

 but which the Nation alone was capable of carrying into effect. 



And that these anticipations have been borne out by the result, would 

 now seem to be generally admitted from the fact, that other Societies, since 

 organized in this country with a view to similar objects, have been uniformly 

 framed after its model, and conducted upon principles which they have 

 borrowed from this Institution. 



It is indeed rather remarkable, that the first idea of an Association of such 

 a kind should have suggested itself only a year after death had deprived us of 

 our three most distinguished philosophers, — for who had we then left to com- 

 pare, with Davy for the brilliancy and importance of his discoveries; with 

 Young for the singular union of almost universal acquirements with ad- 

 mirable powers of invention ; and with Wollaston for an acuteness of mental 

 vision, which gave him the same advantage in the pursuits of science, which 

 the Naturalist armed with a microscope has over the unassisted observer? 

 Just as in the animal ceconomy the vis medicatrix naturce sometimes makes 

 an extraordinary effort to repair the damage inflicted by injury or disease ; 

 so it would seem, as if Science, conscious of the loss she had sustained in the 

 almost simultaneous extinction of her three brightest luminaries, endeavoured 

 to make good the deficiency, by concentrating into owe focus those that yet 

 remained, to light her onwards on her path. 



At any rate, the progress which the Natural Sciences have made since 

 that period, although doubtless attributable to several concurrent causes, is 

 a fact which must not be overlooked in estimating the services rendered 

 by this Association to the cause of human advancement ; nor can I in 

 any better manner point out its value, than by bringing before your notice 

 some of the additions to our knowledge which have been made since I last 

 addressed you, especially considering, that not a few of the discoveries to 

 which I shall allude were either first announced, or have been made the 

 subjects of discussion, at our several Meetings. 



Beginning then with Chemistry, as the subject with which I am most 

 familiar, let me remind you, that at a period not much more remote than 

 the one alluded to, all of it that could be quoted as really worthy the name 

 of a Science was comprehended within the limits of the mineral kingdom. 



1856. d 



