9 



Owen and Forbes must appear invaluable. Never before 

 has living and organic nature been so closely scrutinized ; 

 and all will agree that there is " nothing unworthy to be 

 investigated by man that has been thought worthy to be 

 created by God." We may now say with the poet — 



" Science and Art urge on the useful toil — 

 New mould a climate, and create the soil — 

 On yielding nature force their new demands, 

 And ask not gifts — but tribute at her hands."* 



The philosophic investigations alluded to in this address 

 have been most materially assisted, and in many instances 

 originated, by the " British Association," whose funds have 

 been bountifully expended in promoting them. Highly 

 then does it become us to offer (in common with all lovers 

 of science) our tribute of gratitude and admiration. Indeed 

 their services are now fully appreciated by all but a very few 

 of the most besotted or bigoted of our species. 



" In taking the above cursory glance over the rapid 

 advances made within these few years in Science and 

 Natural History, we cannot but be sensible of the important 

 bearing which they have upon our own society ; how they 

 open to our view new paths for laudable and useful emulation ; 

 and continually present fresh facts to aid us in our deductions. 

 It is, therefore, in the highest degree incumbent upon us to 

 do our share in working out beneficial results, and to enrol 

 ourselves among the number of those who, as Lucretius 

 expresses it, ' vita lampada tradunt.' 



" For the study of Mechanics, and of Natural History in all 

 its brandies, our opportunities in this locality are particularly 

 good, equal indeed to those of any other place on the face 

 of the earth. 



" In offering the foregoing remarks, I have been precluded 

 by the limits prescribed on this occasion from addressing 



* Barbauld. 



