

ADDRESS, xhii 
that science now has a far more powerful hold on public opinion than when 
-we began our course. No other proof is needed of this than the fact that 
many new branches of it are finding their way into the course of University 
instruction, Without referring to the recent changes in those of this island, 
I rejoice to say that.in my own—that of Dublin—within the last year che- 
mistry, thermotics, electro-magnetism, and others, have been made a portion 
of the under-graduate course; while one of our own valued members has 
introduced into primary schools a manual of zoology, of which the spirit is 
as good as the substance is attractive. But there is another evidence, not 
less satisfactory in reference to this our third object, and I name it with 
pleasure,—the prompt and liberal attention which our government now pays 
to the requests of the Association. It is true that we have never applied to 
it except for matters of paramount importance and unquestionable useful- 
hess; but in times past it would have been no easy matter to force a con- 
viction of this on the guardians of the Treasury ; and we may therefore feel 
assured, not only that they personally take an interest in what we bring be- 
fore them, but also that the whole nation sympathizes with us; for some of 
these concessions are of no ordinary magnitude. The completion of the 
Ordnance survey of Scotland—the enlarging the scale of part, perhaps all, 
of that of England—and the adding lines of level to that of Ireland after it 
was apparently completed —are very formidable items in a budget, At our 
demands, the observatories from which such splendid additions have been 
made to our knowledge of magnetism and meteorology have been established 
far and wide throughout our dominions ;--a precious gift, not only for itself, 
but for what it has produced, The example was followed, on their usual 
princely seale, at four stations by the East India Company (always, be it said, 
munificent patrons of science), and still more extensively by Russia—with 
what success must be fresh in the memory of those who were present at the 
Magnetic Congress. We obtained the antarctic expedition of Ross, so fertile 
in its geographic fruit—so invaluable for the wide extension which it gave to 
the domain of terrestrial magnetism. We procured the expenditure of large 
sums for the reduction of the Greenwich lunar observations, and for publish- 
ing the Catalogues of Lacaille and Lalande,—and much more which I need 
hot recite. Yet—and we well may reckon it a sign of progress —not a single 
voice has been raised in opposition to these grants, It seems as if our 
country recognized in us its scientific representatives—as if we were like the 
Saxon prototype of its great council: its Witena-Gemot—its assembly of 
the Wise. 
And may we deserve that name; for let me remind you that science is not 
necessarily wisdom. To know, is not the sole nor even the highest office of 
