liy PROCEEDINGS. 



longer expected at smaller or greater intervals in the future those brilliant 

 generalizations which dazzle the mnltitude and form an epoch in the 

 history of man. 



We may perhaps have met with some indications that there are people 

 who think that an Institute of Science such as ours should devote itself 

 to the grand problems of human life in such a mannur as to electrify the 

 public, convince the sceptic, and reform human society on lines based on 

 indubitable principles. Such persons seem to expect that if scientific 

 anen are of any use they could by the application of their thinking 

 powers discover these grand principles and demonstrate them with the 

 potency of universal conviction. They are evidently unaware of the 

 most striking fact in the histoiy of man, jthat fiom the beginning of 

 society up to their own appearance in the role of thinkers, men have been 

 trying to solve these problems by thinking, striving to draw knowledge 

 out of brains into which the knowledge never entered. The deductive 

 metaphysical philosophers of old are still being produced, more numerous 

 than ever if not more powerful, and the ancient problems are not yet 

 .solved. 



We have never yet gained any advantage by thinking out what 

 nature should be. We have to find out what it is, and so far as we know 

 what it is we can utilize it according to our limitations. And the solutions 

 of the so-called grand problems are often dependent on what might be 

 called the humblest facts. The grandness of a truth discovered cannot 

 be known until the full train of its effects can be seen ; so that to the 

 truth seeker any truth may well be considered grand. It is a sound 

 principle for each to seek whatever truth is nearest him, so that he may 

 add it to the common stock which is now becoming the broad base of 

 the so-called grand truths which humanity has learned to applaud after 

 a period of suspicion. 



This is the principle on which our Institute is working. The geologist 

 is near to the discovery of new geological facts by reason of his previously 

 obtained geological knowledge and his opportunities of studying for 

 years his own local ground. He exercises his special powers with the 

 result of obtaining further knowledge which through our publications are 

 made the property of the truth-seekers throughout the world. And so 

 with each of us. We have our own special opportunities for some kind 

 of exact observations on points not hitherto exactly observed, and in 

 making such observations we are as deserving as he who makes the final 



