44 CONNECTION OF BATH WITH THE 



taken is delicate ; but I trust that if there be treasured 

 in the affectionate remembrance of any one who now 

 hears me some other name which ought to be repeated 

 whenever we attempt to speak of those who by their 

 attainments in learning or in science have reflected 

 honour on the city of their birth or residence, that 

 the omission will be attributed to deficiency of 

 information, or to the well-known truth that what is 

 familiarly known is not always present, rather than 

 to any other cause. 



1. The first place may here be given to those who 

 have contributed to the advancement of science, or 

 who have excelled in the diiferent departments of 

 natural history. And on the first mention of these, 

 the recollection recurs how honourable a tribute has 

 already been paid to them by a distinguished member 

 of this Institution, whose name I trust it will be long 

 before we can add to the list of those who have 

 ceased to advance natural science amongst us. [11] 

 It is evident that Bath has never been without those 

 who have laboured, and laboured successfully, in this 

 department. That wonderful and still mysterious 

 phenomenon of our impregnated and heated springs 

 has contributed in two ways to give to Bath a certain 

 share of importance in the history of science : their 

 singularity has excited attention and stimulated 

 inquiry. The complete elucidation of all the circum- 



