CONTINUITY. 185 



Meteorological Department of the Board of Trade, with a 

 staff of skilful and experienced observers. 



This is one of the results which the general growth of 

 science, and the labours of this Association in particular, have 

 produced ; but I do not propose on this occasion to recapitulate 

 the special objects attained by the Association ; this has been 

 amply done by several of my predecessors ; nor shall I con- 

 fine my address to the progress made in physical science since 

 the time when my most able and esteemed friend and prede- 

 cessor addressed you at Birmingham. In the various reports 

 and communications which will be read at your sections, details 

 of every step which has been made in science since our last 

 meeting will be brought to your notice, and I have no doubt 

 fully and freely discussed. 



I purpose, with your kind permission, to submit to you 

 certain views of what has within a comparatively recent period 

 been accomplished by science, what have been the steps 

 leading to the attained results, and what, as far as we may 

 fairly form an opinion, is the general character pervading 

 modern discovery. 



It seems to me that the object we have in view would be 

 more nearly approached, by each President, chosen as they 

 are in succession as representing different branches of science, 

 giving on these occasions either an account of the progress of 

 the particular branch of science he has cultivated, when that 

 is not of a very limited and special character, or enouncing 

 his own view of the general progress of science ; and though 

 this will necessarily involve much that belongs to recent years, 

 the confining a President to a mere resume of what has taken 

 place since our last meeting would, I venture with diffidence 

 to think, limit his means of usefulness, and render his dis- 

 course rather an annual register than an instructive essay. 



I need not dwell on the commonplace but yet important 

 topics of the material advantages resulting from the applica- 

 tion of science ; I will address myself to what, in my humble 

 judgment, are the lessons we have learned, and the probable 

 prospects of improved natural knowledge. 



One word will give you the key to what I am about to 



