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He referred to the supply of the health producer and sustainer — 

 the blood. They knew that without a rigid attention to the 

 laws of hygiene, and a scrupulous obedience to the nutrient 

 processes, the vis vitce failed, and the powers succumbed to a 

 premature decay. Assimilation must be constantly going on if a 

 vigorous life was to be enjoyed. And in this Society, as one after 

 another of its strong supporters was removed, they wanted the 

 reanimation of young blood. 



They had amongst their Members men of more than ordinary 

 ability and culture, who are comparatively idle with regard to the 

 work of the Society ; they might help greatly if they would, and 

 he trusted this reminder to absentees would spur them into 

 action. But it Avas to the younger men, and the more recent 

 Members, that he would chiefly address himself Some of them 

 had set an example to the rest by coming to the front with good 

 and earnest work ; but a considerable number had joined the 

 Society, he suspected, more with the idea of receiving than of 

 giving intellectual jjleasure and enjoyment. Possibly from their 

 own standpoint, their self-estimation led them to avoid taking a 

 public part in the discussions of the Society, but from the Society's 

 point of view they may be depriving it of much valuable assistance. 

 A voluble tongue was but seldom associated with high intelligence, 

 and might often prove a hindrance rather than a help to scien- 

 tific discussion, Avhereas taciturnity in young men was often united 

 to a precocious wisdom. To their taciturn young friends then he 

 Avould say that the Society requires their aid. 



Many of those who felt warmly to it, were quite unable to 

 give it that helpful attention it required ; they were hurried along 

 by the pressure of busy lives into methods and habits of life which 

 leave too little energy for scientific investigation, attractive though 

 it be, and their work must of necessity be of a desultory character. 

 But to those for whom life appeared a long and hopeful future, 

 he would say — They had the power, as he hoped they had the 

 will, of so arranging their spare time as to devote regular portions 



