CONTINUITY. 183 



The visits of distinguished foreigners, whom we have pre- 

 viously known by reputation, is one of the most delightful 

 and improving of the results. The wide field of enquiry, and 

 the character of communications made to the Association, 

 including all branches of natural knowledge, and varying 

 from simple notices of an interesting observation or experi- 

 ment, to the most intricate and refined expositions of scientific 

 research, is another valuable characteristic. 



Lastly, perhaps the greatest advantage resulting from the 

 annual visits of this great parliament to new localities is, that 

 w r hile it imparts fresh local and general knowledge to the 

 visitors, it leaves behind stimulating memories, which rouse 

 into permanent activity dormant or timid minds an effect 

 which, so far from ceasing with the visit of the Association, 

 frequently begins when that visit terminates. 



Every votary of physical science must be anxious to see 

 it recognised by those institutions of his country which can to 

 the greatest degree promote its cultivation and reap from it 

 the greatest benefit. You will probably agree with me that 

 the principal educational establishments on the one hand, and 

 on the other the Government, in many of its departments, are 

 the institutions which may best fulfil these conditions. The 

 more early the mind is trained to a pursuit of any kind, the 

 deeper and more permanent are the impressions received, and 

 the more service can be rendered by the students. 



. ' Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odorem 

 Testa diu.' 



Little can be achieved in scientific research without an 

 acquaintance with it in youth ; you will rarely find an instance 

 of a man who has attained any eminence in science who has 

 not commenced its study at a very early period of life. 

 Nothing, again, can tend more to the promotion of science 

 than the exertions of those who have early acquired the rjdos 

 resulting from a scientific education. I desire to make no 

 complaint of the tardiness with which science has been 

 received at our public schools, and, with some exceptions, at 

 our universities. These great establishments have their roots 

 in historical periods, and long time and patient endeavour are 



