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sion of communication amongst men, it is perhaps to be 

 doubted whether we yet see the full significance of this fact 

 or appreciate its profound importance in the history of man- 

 kind. Yet how naturally, and by how simple an order of logi- 

 cal succession in^ the history of science itself, the " Letter of 

 Benjamin Franklin, Esq., to Mr. Peter Collinson, F.R.S., con- 

 cerning an electrical kite," published in Vol. xlvii of the 

 Philosophical Transactions, is connected with the possibility of 

 the message from Sir George Stokes, instructing me to be here 

 to-night, which was darted westward a few days ago beneath 

 the ocean's depth, with a speed that anticipated by hours the 

 laggard turning eastward of the earth upon its axis. 



As we think of the gradually expanding insight into the mys- 

 teries of nature which has come of scientific study in the pass- 

 ing years of the last century, of what was concealed from the 

 workers in science in. 1789, and is seen of all men to-day, we nat- 

 urally wish that those who then saw dimly could share the 

 larger measure of light which is given to us, and as naturally 

 we think, and with some sadness, of the yet brighter light 

 which those who are to come after us will undoubtedly enjoy. 

 The words of Seneca suit our mouths as well as they did his : 

 " Quidein multa venientis aevi populus ignota nobis sciet. 

 Multa seculis tune futuris, quum memoria nostri exoleverit, 

 reservantur. * * * Rerum natura sacra sua non sirnul 

 tradit. Initiates nos credimus : in vestibulo haeremus" 



Such thoughts bring with them the seemingly opposite yet 

 both together best results of the pursuit of science, a profound 

 and exulting appreciation of the advance already made in 

 knowledge of the universe spread out before us, and at the 

 same time a yet more profound humility in face of the far 

 greater ignorance which hides from us the more wondrous 

 things beyond. 



PROC. AMER. PHILOS. SOC. XXVII. 131. D. PRINTED JAN. 27, 1890. 



