12 



curiosity, but are associated with the magnetism of the earth, with 

 that mysterious force which, like the force of gravity, connects us 

 with the sun, and probably with all the other heavenly bodies, even 

 those which are at the greatest distance from us. In the tumultuous 

 movements of the atmosphere, which tear up trees by their roots, and 

 cause the destruction of life by shipwreck, he recognizes the law of 

 storms, and is enabled to comprehend how the mariner, by steering 

 his course in one direction, may avoid those dangers to which he 

 would be exposed if he were to steer it in another. In this way it is 

 plain that even a moderate acquaintance with the physical sciences 

 cannot fail to add to the interest of life ; an advantage which, under 

 occasional circumstances, may be extended even to the humbler 

 classes of society. A professor of one of our ancient universities, 

 and a distinguished Fellow of the Linnsean Society, does not con- 

 sider it to be incompatible with his duties as a parish priest, nor 

 beneath his dignity as a philosopher, to give such simple instructions 

 in Botany to the girls of the village in which he resides as may en- 

 able them to understand the flora of the neighbouring district ; thus 

 affording them not only a useful, but a cheerful occupation for hours 

 which would otherwise be passed in idleness. 



" It was on the 28th of November, just now 200 years ago, that 

 several eminent individuals, who had previously been in the habit of 

 meeting for the purpose of communicating with each other on subjects 

 of common interest, assembled in Gresham College, and agreed to 

 form themselves into a Society, having for its object the prosecuting 

 of physico-mathematical experimental learning. "When they reas- 

 sembled on the following week, it was reported to them that what 

 they proposed was highly approved by the reigning Monarch ; who 

 intimated at the same time his desire to do what lay in his power 

 towards promoting so useful an undertaking. Accordingly steps 

 were taken for the incorporation of the Society under a Royal Charter, 

 that Charter being conferred on them in due form two years after- 

 wards. Such was the origin of the Institution which I have now the 

 honour to address ; and to which the world is indebted for the long 

 series of scientific memoirs contained in the 150 volumes of the 

 ' Philosophical Transactions.' The publication of these * Transactions,' 



