ADDRESS. liii 



This power of stimulating our own members and this influence on external 

 bodies, as I have stated, are, in my opinion, connected in a great measure 

 with the independent character of our body, as consisting of a mass of inde- 

 pendent elements. But with this consideration we must connect another. 

 If we possess the freedom of private persons, we are also under the same 

 restraints as private persons : — and nothing could be more injurious to us 

 than any step which seemed to imply our belief that we, an unauthorized 

 body, could venture to interfere in any matter in which any other company 

 of private persons acting publicly could not interfere. For instance : — I can 

 scarcely imagine a case in which we should be justified in offensively ex- 

 pressing our disapprobation of the course followed by any other person or 

 Society. Again : — The past history of science or invention is matter of 

 innocent interest to us as to others ; but, in my opinion, nothing will justify 

 us in entering on the consideration of claims to priority or superiority in 

 which the reputation or the pecuniary interests of the living are concerned. 



And now. Gentlemen, I have only to express my hope that the Meeting at 

 Ipswich may be as fortunate as those which have preceded it. I trust that 

 on the present occasion we may have unusual opportunities of enjoying and 

 profiting by the society of the distinguished foreigners now in England. I 

 trust that the subjects in our Sections may be numerous and interesting, and 

 the discussions on them animated and courteous. I trust that the important 

 Reports which we expect may most fully maintain the character of our annual 

 volume, — and that well-chosen subjects will be proposed for Reports on the 

 experimental investigations of our members for the next year. I trust that 

 your governing body will be bold, yet cautious, in urging on the attention of 

 the Government, or of other bodies, those things which appear necessary for 

 the good of Science. With these wishes, I now commend you to the daily 

 labours of the Meeting. 



