91 



fession. That lino of ships cau only attain a high standing in the 

 estimation of the public whose commanders are men of such abilities. 

 Above all, the captain of an Australian ship should cultivate a clear 

 notion of this earth as being a globe and not a plane. I would not do 

 one of them the injustice to insinuate that he does not assent to the 

 truth of the hypothesis that this earth is a sphere. But we often 

 assent to the truth of a proposition, and yet fail in carrying out its 

 principle in practice. So it is with the mariner. He is so accustomed 

 to regard places to be situated as they appear on his chart, that he 

 ceases in practice to regard the earth as a sphere. I do not recommend 

 him to cast aside his chart, but as frequently as possible to compare it 

 with the globe, and by so doing to acquire the power of discerning 

 in the distorted shadow the substance intended to be represented. To 

 young men who desire to rise in their profession there is every induce- 

 ment to energy. Never was there a greater demand for talented master 

 mariners, nor was there ever such an opportunity offered to those who 

 wish to avail themselves of the advantages afforded. I'ifty years ago, 

 the government exerted their utmost power to cripple the mercantile 

 marine. Now, on the contrary, the Board of Trade have afforded an 

 establishment at this port for the instruction of those who desire to ad- 

 vance in their profession — such as they have never previously possessed. 

 To all present I would say, do your utmost to advance science ; do not 

 look too narrowly to the subjects that come within your notice in a 

 utilitarian sense. Although the observations of the gentleman who 

 lately so worthily filled the civic chair of this borough, and those of one 

 of the gentlemen who now represent us in parliament, are true, that 

 science should produce utilitarian results ; still, unless we cultivate 

 science for the sake of science, we shall not keep up with the spirit of 

 the age. There are branches of science the utilitarian value of which 

 is not at first seen. I have endeavoured to show you instances in which 

 meteorological observations are calculated to be of great practical value 

 to the mercantile interest of this port. I hope the suggestions of Lieut. 

 Maury regarding a record of meteorological observations at sea will be 

 carried out. Liverpool can afford as much valuable information on this 

 subject as any other port. Its extended commerce takes its ships to 

 every part of the globe. For observation in the Australian tracks, the 

 means that Liverpool possesses cannot be surpassed by any other port. 

 But beyond all, if we were to search every port in the world, I would 

 defy you to produce an individual better qualified to superintend such 

 investigations than Mr. llurtnup. I never met clearer illustrations of 



