2 British Association. 



being nearly an average of forty-three and a-half papers for each of 

 the eight sections. 



" The sectional meetings took place on six days, and of these meetings 

 there were forty-two in all. They lasted on an average fom* hours, which 

 gives an aggregate amount of time of 168 hours devoted to the reading 

 and discussing the various communications. This time — equal to four- 

 teen days of twelve hours each — would he equiJ to that passed in six or 

 seven sessions of the meetings of the Glasgow Philosophical Society. 



" There is good ground, therefore, for satisfaction in the result of the 

 meeting, and we have reason to congratulate ourselves that science has 

 prospered in the hospitable care of our city. To this success a variety 

 of circumstances have no doubt contributed, among which may be 

 mentioned, first, the attractions which Glasgow presents as one of the 

 greatest seats of the successful application of scientific principles to 

 important, useful, and practical objects ; second, the increasing influence 

 and continued impi'ovement in the management of the British Asso- 

 ciation itself ; and, third, the strenuous and well-directed efforts of those 

 immediately charged with the arrangements for the meeting. 



" In reflecting now, as it is natural for us to do, on the advantages 

 that may have been derived from such a meeting, I doubt not that 

 every one will be disposed to give a foremost place to the pleasure he 

 has received, and the improving influence he has experienced from seeing 

 the interesting countenances, hearing the eloquent and learned dis- 

 courses, and making the acquaintance of many eminent men whose 

 names may have been long known to him as the most distinguished in 

 their several departments. In some instances this is perhaps a grati- 

 fication of mere curiosity ; in others it is positively useful in enabling 

 us to appreciate more justly, and to enjoy more fully the writings of 

 authors whom we have not previously seen. 



" Not less marked than the feeling now alluded to is the conscious- 

 ness, which every cultivator of science must be aware of, that he has 

 received a gi'eat and fresh stimulus to exertion from the example of the 

 many bright ornaments of science who ai"e congregated together at the 

 Association meetings. We are pleased to witness the respect which is 

 paid by those highest in social rank to the distinction of scientific 

 attainments ; and we are glad also to perceive that many of those 

 whose social position might have made them regardless of science, have 

 attained to considerable eminence in various of its branches ; but it is 

 still more satisfactory to find, that, in this great republic of science, 

 obscurity in social rank is no bar to fame, and scientific distinction is 

 in proportion only to the value of the contribution which is brought 

 forward by any of its members. 



