XXxii REPORT — 1844. 



adopted for bringing under the most perfect control the movements of the vast 

 masses with which he has bad to deal. 



It is now more than sixty years since the elder Herschel, by the superior 

 optical and space-penetrating powers of his telescopes, began a brilliant career 

 of astronomical discovery, and the interest which the construction of his great 

 forty-foot reflector — a memorable monument of his perseverance, genius and 

 skill — excited amongst men of science of that period, was, if possible, not less 

 intense than what now attaches to the similar enterprise of the Noble Lord: 

 nor were the expectations which were thus raised disappointed by the result; 

 for though this noble instrument was generally reserved for the great and 

 state occasions of astronomy only, requiring too great an expenditure of time 

 and labour to be conveniently producible for the daily and ordinary business 

 of observation, yet the very first time it was directed to the heavens it dis- 

 covered the seventh satellite of Saturn, and contributed in no inconsiderable 

 degree to the more complete developement of those views of the construction 

 of the heavens (I use his own expression), which his contemporaries never suf- 

 ficiently appreciated, but which present and future ages will probably regard 

 as the most durable monument of his fame. 



It is no derogation to the claims of this great discoverer that art and know- 

 ledge are progressive, or that a successor should have arisen, who, following in 

 the track which he has pointed out, should bring a coordinate zeal and more 

 ample means to prepare the way for another great epoch in the history of as- 

 tronomical discovery ; and I know that I do not mistake the sentiments of 

 the accomplished philosopher who has succeeded to his name and honours, 

 and who throughout his life has laboured with such exemplary filial piety and 

 such distinguished success in the developement and extension of his father's 

 views, that no one takes a deeper or more lively interest in the success of this 

 noble enterprise, and no one rejoices more sincerely in the vast prospects of 

 discovery which it opens. 



Gentlemen, it is now thirteen years since the British Association held its first 

 Meeting in this ancient and venerable city, under the presidency of the Noble 

 Earl Fitzwilliam, who is always the first to offer his services in the promotion 

 of the interests of science and of every good and useful undertaking. It was 

 in this city that its constitution and laws were first organized, and it is by these 

 laws, for which we are chiefly indebted to the excellent sense and judgement 

 of Mr. William Vernon Harcourt, with very unimportant changes, the Associa- 

 tion has continued to be governed. It is in conformity with the spirit of these 

 laws that we should seek to cooperate, and not to interfere, with other societies 

 which have pursuits and objects in common with our own ; that we should 

 claim no right to the publication of Memoirs which are read at our Sections, 

 and which are not prepared at our request; that we should endeavour to con- 

 centrate and direct the influence of the public opinion of men engaged or in- 

 terested in the pursuits of science in favour of such objects, and such objects 

 only, as they agree in considering important for its interests ; and, above all, 

 that we should avail ourselves of tlie advantages which we possess, in the ex- 

 tensive range of our operations, and in our independence of particular so- 

 cieties and particular localities, of organizing and carrying into effect well- 

 digested systems of cooperative labour. 



Again, our Meetings were also designed to bring men who are engaged in 

 common pursuits and interested in common objects into closer union and more 

 frequent intercourse with each other; to encourage the more humble and less 

 generally known cultivators of science, by bringing their labours under the 

 notice of those men who arc best able to appreciate and to give currency to 



