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24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 
ality, and our interest in their writings and in their work will be 
keener and more vivid. 
To the student of science the value of this personal intercourse 
with those who have done and are doing great and lasting work is 
incalculable. It rouses his enthusiasm. It stimulates his ambition. 
It stirs his flagging energies, and wakes in his breast the aspiration 
to share with them, even if only in an humble way, the glorious 
work of searching out the truths of nature and thinking out the 
thoughts of God. It lifts him out of himself and the little circle of 
his own interests and cares and makes him feel himself a citizen of 
the great Commonwealth of Science—a soldier of the great army of 
workers whose aim is the discovery of truth. 
The project of holding a meeting of the British Association in 
Canada was a bold one; and there were not wanting prophets of 
evil who, when it was first set on foot, were ready to throw cold 
water on it, and call it inadvisable if not impracticable. The length 
of time taken in going and returning, the discomforts of a long sea 
voyage, and the expense, would, it was said, prevent all but a few 
daring enthusiasts from taking part init. It was feared also that 
the number of those in Canada who took enough interest in science 
to assist at the meetings would be small, and that only failure and 
disappointment would result from the attempt. Even if tempted by 
the inducement of a cheap excursion any considerable number of 
people could be induced to make the voyage, those whose presence 
would be most desirable on such an occasion would be absent, and 
if quantity was forthcoming quality would most certainly be inferior. 
It is gratifying to know, as we do now, that these predictions 
were entirely groundless. In every respect the Montreal meeting of 
the British Association was a most successful one. The numbers 
attending the meeting were beyond all expectation ; and these were 
not mere holiday seekers, but those really interested in the objects of 
the Association. The number of old annual and life members who 
attended the Montreal meetings was above the average. 
The interest of the meetings of sections was also all that could be 
desired. The papers read, both as to number and character, were 
decidedly above the average, and the interest shown by the Canadian 
public was most satisfactory. In every respect those who planned 
and carried out the undertaking on both sides of the Atlantic have 
every reason to congratulate themselves upon the success that has 
