XXX REPORT—1843. 
nations: all proceeding from the same cause, or nearly so—a struggle for 
power; in other words, a struggle for dominion over man, and through him 
over the material things of this world. But in such a contest, what is gained 
on one side must be lost on the other. Here, on the contrary, however much 
may be gained, there can be no loss to any one. This is no paradox; for 
here the object of the contest is to increase man’s knowledge, and with it at 
once his power over the material things of this world. It is plain, therefore, 
that in the objects we have in view, all have an equal interest ; that the con- 
test we are engaged in is one of friendly rivalry, all competing in their 
efforts to promote that knowledge, that science, which has been given to us 
as the reward of industry, and by which the gifts of a bountiful Providence 
may be increased and improved, for the benefit of man, to an extent almost 
unlimited. 
But, Gentlemen, there are perhaps many here who have not been present 
at other meetings of the Association, who know nothing of the objects actu- 
ally accomplished by it, and who are not acquainted with the records of its 
proceedings annually published. The question, therefore, may be asked, Does 
this Association actually promote the advance of science, and if so, by what 
means ? 
For a complete, detailed and triumphant answer to such a question, I must 
refer to the printed Reports of the proceedings. It would be unpardonable 
on my part to take up your time in endeavouring to perform a task, no doubt 
imperfectly, which has been achieved in the most complete manner by the 
very able men who on former occasions have undertaken it, I shall there. 
fore only mention, that original researches in various departments of science, 
and on a great scale, have been carried on by the Association, upon which 
large sums have been expended under the most skilful management, and 
with very important results. The sum so expended exceeds 8000/. Much 
also has been accomplished for science, by the resources of the State applied 
under the advice of the Association; and within a few days it has been 
officially announced that the sum required for an important astronomical ob- 
ject, the publication of the Observations of Lacaille and Lalande, has been 
granted by Government. 
For the previons reduction of the observations we are indebted to the 
zeal, ability and public spirit of Mr. Baily and Mr. Henderson, two members 
of the Association, who gave their services gratuitously, and took upon 
themselves the laborious duty of superintending the work. The actual ex- 
pense incurred, amounting to 1400/., was defrayed out of the funds of the 
Association. 
I am also happy to be enabled to announce, that with respect to another 
great undertaking you all have heard of, which has been carried on at the 
public expense, under the gratuitous superintendence of a distinguished phi- 
losopher*, a most favourable notice has been published by a foreign geo- 
metrician of eminence: that notice, or essay, perhaps I should call it, will 
appear translated in the next number of the Scientific Memoirs. I regret 
I have not been able to procure a copy of the original essay, and therefore 
cannot say anything more precise about it; still I cannot refrain from men- 
tioning it as a subject of much interest in the scientific world. In addition 
to the researches carried on by the Association, much has been done to aid 
research. A very important series of papers has been written and published 
in the annual volumes, under the head of “ Reports on Researches in Science.” 
Each of these Reports is, in fact, a complete and accurate general view of 
the actual state of that science, or branch of science, to which it refers, 
* Mr. Babbage. 
