32O THE ADDRESSES, LECTURES, ETC., OF 



These considerations may serve to show that although we see 

 the men of both abstract and applied science group themselves in 

 minor bodies for the better prosecution of special objects, the 

 points of contact between the different branches of knowledge are 

 ever multiplying, all tending to form part of a mighty tree the 

 tree of modern science under whose ample shadow its cultivators 

 will find it both profitable and pleasant to meet, at least once a 

 year ; and considering that this tree is not the growth of one 

 country only, but spreads both its roots and branches far and wide, 

 it appears desirable that at these yearly gatherings other nations 

 should be more fully represented than has hitherto been the case. 

 The subjects discussed at our meetings are -without exception of 

 general interest, but many of chem bear an international character, 

 such as the systematic collection of magnetic, astronomical, 

 meteorological, and geodetical observations, the formation of a 

 universal code for signalling at sea, and for distinguishing light- 

 houses, and especially the settlement of scientific nomenclatures 

 and units of measurement, regarding all of Avhich an international 

 accord is a matter of the utmost practical importance. 



As regards the measures of length and weight it is to be regretted 

 that this country still stands aloof from the movement initiated in 

 France towards the close of last century ; but, considering that in 

 scientific work metrical measure is now almost universally adopted, 

 and that its use has been already legalised in this country, I 

 venture to hope that its universal adoption for commercial purposes 

 will soon follow as a matter of course. The practical advantages 

 of such a measure to the trade of this country would, I am con- 

 vinced, be very great, for English goods, such as machinery or 

 metal rolled to current sections, are now almost excluded from 

 the Continental market, owing to the unit measure employed in 

 their production. The principal impediment to the adoption of 

 the metre consists in the strange anomaly that although it is 

 legal to use that measure in commerce, and although a copy of 

 the standard metre is kept in the Standards' Department of the 

 Board of Trade, it is impossible to procure legalised rods repre- 

 senting it, and to use a non-legalised copy of a standard in 

 commerce is deemed fraudulent. Would it not be desirable that 

 the British Association should endeavour to bring about the use 

 in this country of the metre and kilogramme, and, as a pre- 



