eee 
’ 
ADDRESS. XXIX 
actino-chemistry and the phenomena of muscular contraction as dependent 
on the will, are, perhaps, even now preparing us for the reception of ideas of 
this kind. 
Another instance of the efficacy of the course of study in this University, 
in producing not merely expert algebraists, but sound and original mathema- 
tical thinkers (and, perhaps, a more striking one, from the generality of its 
contributors being men of comparatively junior standing), is to be found in 
the publication of the Cambridge Mathematical Journal, of which already 
four volumes, full of very original communications, are before the public. It 
was set on foot in 1837, by the late Mr. Gregory, Fellow of Trinity College, 
whose premature death has bereft science of one who, beyond a doubt, had 
he lived, would have proved one of its chief ornaments, and the worthy re- 
presentative of a family already so distinguished in the annals of mathemati- 
cal and optical science. His papers on the ‘Calculus of Operations’ which 
appeared in that collection, fully justifies this impression, while they afford 
an excellent illustration of my general position. Nor ought I to omit men- 
tioning the Chemical Society, of whom he was among the founders, as indica- 
tive of the spirit of the place, untrammeled by abstract forms, and eager to 
spread itself over the whole field of human inquiry. 
Another great and distinguishing feature in the.scientific history of this 
place, is the establishment of its Astronomical Observatory, and the regular 
publication of the observations made in it. The science of Astronomy is so 
vast, and its objects so noble, that the practical study of it for its own sake is 
quite sufficient to ensure its pursuit wherever civilization exists. But such in- 
stitutions have a much wider influence than that which they exercise in for- 
warding their immediate object. Every astronomical observatory which 
publishes its observations becomes a nucleus for the formation around it of a 
school of exact practice— a standing and accessible example of the manner 
in which theories are brought to their extreme test—a centre, from which 
emanate a continual demand for and suggestion of refinements, delicacies, 
and precautions in matters of observation and apparatus which re-act upon 
the whole body of science, and stimulate, while they tend to render possible 
an equal refinement and precision in all its processes. It is impossible to 
speak too highly of the mode in which the business of this institution is carried 
on under its present eminent director; nor can it be forgotten in our ap- 
preciation of what it has done for science, that in it our present Astronomer 
Royal first proved and familiarized himself with that admirable system of 
astronomical observation, registry, and computation, which he has since 
brought to perfection in our great national observatory, and which have ren- 
dered it, under his direction, the pride and ornament of British science, and 
the admiration of Europe. 
Gentlemen, I should never have done.if I were to enlarge on, or even at- 
tempt to enumerate the many proofs which this University has afforded of its 
determination to render its institutions and endowments efficient for the pur- 
poses of public instruction, and available to science. But such encomiums, 
however merited, must not be allowed to encroach too largely on other objects 
which I propose to bring before your notice, and which relate to the more 
immediate business of the present meeting, and to the general interests of 
science. The first and every way the most important, is the subject of the 
Magnetic and Meteorological Observatories. Every member of this Associa- 
tion is, of course, aware of the great exertions which have been made during 
the last five years, on the part of the British, Russian, and several other foreign 
governments, and of our own East India Company, to furnish data on the 
most extensive and systematic scale, for elucidating the great problems of 
Terrestrial Magnetism and Meteorology, by the establishment of a system of 
