174 PETER GUTHRIE TAIT 



GLENLAIR, 

 27/A Aug. 1874. 

 O. T'. B. A. Trans. 1874. 



In the expected presidential address the following has been inserted as an 

 antipenultimate. 



On the atmosphere as a vehicle of sound. 



What means that thrilling drilling scream ! 



Protect me ! 'tis the Siren 

 Her heart is fire ! her breath is steam ! 



Her larynx is of iron ! 

 Sun ! dart thy beams. In tepid streams 



Rise, viewless exhalations ! 

 And lap me round, that no rude sound 

 May mar my meditations. 



Phil. Trans. 1874, p. 183. 

 Notes of the actual address are enclosed 1 . 



The effect on the British Ass. is described in the following adaptation of 

 H. Heine. 



Tune Loreley. 



I know not what this may betoken 



That I feel so wonderful wise, 

 The dream of existence seems broken 



Since Science has opened mine eyes. 

 At the British Association 



I heard the President's speech, 

 And the methods and rules of creation 



Seemed suddenly placed in my reach. 

 My life's undivided devotion 



To Science I solemnly vowed, 

 I'd dredge up the bed of the ocean, 



I'd draw down the spark from the cloud ; 

 To follow my thoughts as they go on 



Electrodes I'd plunge in my brain, 

 Nay, I'd swallow a live entozoon 



New feelings of Life to obtain. 



where are those high feasts of science ? 



where are those words of the wise ! 



1 hear but the roar of Red Lions, 



1 eat what their Jackal supplies. 

 I meant to be so scientific, 



But science seems turned into fun ; 

 And this with their roaring terrific 

 These old red lions have done. 



1 This refers to the clever rhyming epitome of Tyndall's address, which appeared at the 

 time in Iackwood's Magazine, and will be found in Lewis Campbell's Life of Maxwell. 



