British Association for the Advancement of Science. 229 



be collected in a manner far more perfect than has ever yet been 

 attempted. 



" With a just sense, therefore, of the consequence to science of 

 combining the Philosophical Societies dispersed through the pro- 

 vinces of the empire in a general co-operative union, the British 

 Association has not only invited them to join its meetings, but has 

 given to those whom they may specially depute to represent them, 

 the privilege of becoming members of the Committee by which its 

 affairs are conducted. 



" It appears to the Council that in availing themselves of the bond 

 of connection thus offered, Societies, at the same time that they will 

 contribute most essentially to the success of this extensive plan, 

 will add greatly to their own efficiency. When individuals meet for 

 scientific objects, the effect of the general effort, emulation, and 

 example, is to produce a spirit of exertion which gives to such 

 meetings their principal value. And if Societies shall concur in thus 

 meeting each other, in proposing certain common objects, in com- 

 municating from j^ear to year the means which they are employing 

 and the progress which they are making, — it seems impossible that 

 this should be done in the presence of an assembly concentrating a 

 great part of the scientific talent of the nation, without kindling an 

 increased ardour of emulous activity; it seems impossible that the 

 deputies of any Society should attend such meetings without bringing 

 back into its bosom an enlargement of views and communicating to 

 its members new lights of knowledge, new motives for inquiry, and 

 new encouragement to perseverance. 



" Tiie actual assembling of one of the meetings at the place in 

 which any Society is established, has a tendency to produce the same 

 effect in a still more powerful degree, and the Council does not hesi- 

 tate to state that this Institution has received a sensible impulse in 

 all these respects, from the visit with which it has recently been 

 honoured. The plan indeed on which it was first founded, and on 

 which it has been since conducted, was in the spirit of the design 

 which may now be contemplated for the whole kingdom. Its especial 

 aim has been to collect information respecting its own county, and 

 the end to which it aspires has been described in a former Report to 

 be the execution of such a history of Yorkshire as the natural phi- 

 losopher and ihe antiquary may be contented to possess. But how 

 greatly will the importance of this object be heightened when it is 

 incorporated into a national system, and when all the results of our 

 inquiries become part of the materials of a far more extensive ana- 

 lysis ! It could not but be felt before by a provincial Society, that 

 in executing the task which it had undertaken, advice and consul- 

 tation were wanted. With how much more confidence may it pro- 

 ceed when it has the advantage of consulting with the Committee of 

 this great national Association ! In comparing the views which it 

 entertains, and the methods which it employs, with those that may 

 be offered to its consideration, how largely may it profit by such a 

 commerce, without sacrificing any portion of its real dignity or in- 

 dependence I " 



Should 



