t ADDRESS. xii 
whom science is so deeply indebted for the instrumental means of prosecuting 
these researches, has made in the apparatus for repolishing the mirrors, 
and in the instructions for the guidance of those who may have occasion to 
employ it, which his own great personal experience has enabled him to 
prepare. ; 
In this happy country, in which men are free to consider and to discuss the 
propriety of public support being given to undertakings conducive to national 
honour, and are encouraged to do so by the experience that public men of all 
parties who succeed each other in administration, seek to be guided by en- 
lightened public opinion, we may justly entertain the full conviction that 
- meastires which from their intrinsic importance deserve to be adopted will 
sooner or later obtain the consideration they merit. When such propositions 
ate brought in the first instance,—as in the class of subjects with which we 
are here concerned it is desirable they should be,;—before those public bodies 
which are justly regarded as possessing the highest scientific authority in this 
country, and as most competent to judge of them, they cannot be too carefully 
considered and discussed, before by their adoption they become invested with 
the authority and weight which those bodies have it in their power to impart: 
But when after due deliberation they have been so adopted, it is equally fitting 
that those publie bodies should be true to their own convictions, and should 
steadily persevere in urging on all proper occasions, both publicly and pri- 
vately, the measures which they believe will‘add to their country’s honour, 
as well as to that general advancement of science by which all nations benefit 
freely and alike in proportion tu their degree of mental cultivation. That an 
Observatory for the purpose specified, in a part of the globe where it can 
render peculiar service, and where we possess facilities which other nations 
do not possess, will ere long be established, no one I believe entertains a 
doubt. The importance was admitted by the Ministry to whom the reeom- 
mendation was made, the only question with them appearing to be one of 
time. When therefore we view the intrinsic merit of the proposition itself, 
the general interest which it has excited at home and abroad, and its already; 
to a certain extent, favourable reception by Government, we cannot doubt 
‘that we have but to persevere, and by a judicious selection of times and 
opportunities the object will be secured. It will be for the Members of the 
‘Mathematical and Physical Section to consider in the first instance, and for 
3 the General Committee, subsequently, to consider and decide whether any 
Official step shall be taken by the British Association in the present year. 
Should such be your decision, it will be the duty of the Officers and Council 
of the Association to confer with the President and Council of the Royal 
_ Society, and in conjunction with them to take such steps as may appear most 
fitting to bring the subject again, and in the most impressive manner, under 
the consideration of the Authorities of the State. On the former occasion it 
was thought most respectful to abstain from any suggestion in regard either 
to a suitable locality, or to the Astronomer who might be advantageously 
























