54 



it. — a sun more than a million times as distant from us, 4,000 times as 

 big as our own sun, and with a disc 300 times as large as ours— there 

 appear to be certain fixed planets, or, rather, to speak popularly, non- 

 luminous, already cooled-down suns, on which it is quite within the 

 possibilities of things that life like that of our tiny planet, though on 

 an infinitely vaster scale, anight exist. These are calculations to make 

 us ponder and reflect, but being based on mathematical principles, 

 they are probably calculations which may be accepted. Ladies and 

 gentlemen, it gives us great pleasure to see you at our Soiree ; but you 

 will understand things of this kind are not got up without trouble and 

 expense. Fortunately, we have two matchless Secretaries in Mr. 

 Wonfor and Mr. J. C. Onions, and the successful result is mainly due 

 to their labours, though they have been ably assisted by our good 

 friend and librarian Mr. R. Glaisyer, and Mr. Saunders. I may say 

 our Society is in affiliation with those of Lewes, Eastbourne, 

 Chichester, Croydon, Belfast, Glasgow, and West Kent, with the 

 Geological Association, and with the Ouekett ]\] icroscopical Club. We 

 exchange transactions, and our officers for the time being are ex-officio 

 members of each of these kindred Societies. This will show that we 

 are doing our work, and making our way in the interests of science in 

 this town. But I am travelling beyond my original intention. I am 

 to be succeeded by Mr. Merrifield, who will discourse to us " On 

 1900." Many have asked me what that may mean. If we ask 1,900 

 times, echo will answer, " What ? " Perhaps he has made a great 

 anthropological discovery of 1,900 ancient Britons, whose achieve- 

 ments he is to celebrate, as Tennyson celebrated those of the gallant 

 600. I should not be much astonished to find he wants ;^i,9O0 for 

 the new Science and Art School ; if he did, you would be sure to re- 

 spond ; you could not do better for your own honour or the good of 

 the town. Mr. Haselwood will read a paper on " Evolution." The 

 word need not frighten you, for Mr. Haselwood has read and thought 

 a great deal about the subject, and has all the ability to talk about it 

 in an interesting manner. Mr. Mayall promises a lecture on ancient 

 and modern astronomy contrasted. He has studied the subject for 

 many years, and may speak with authority upon it. Mr. Moore will 

 lecture on butter. I am afraid it will prove a painful and disagreeable 

 subject. Really we do not know what we eat, and I fear he will make 

 you uncomfortable on the subject of adulteration of butter. I have 

 been forcibly reminded this evening of the line of Watts, " How doth 



