PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONGRESS 



INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS 



DELIVERED AT THE OPENING EXERCISES AT FESTIVAL HALL BY 

 PROFESSOR SIMON NEWCOMB, PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS 



As we look at the assemblage gathered in this hall, comprising so 

 many names of widest renown in every branch of learning, we 

 might almost say in every field of human endeavor, the first in- 

 quiry suggested must be after the object of our meeting. The answer 

 is, that our purpose corresponds to the eminence of the assemblage. 

 We aim at nothing less than a survey of the realm of knowledge, as 

 comprehensive as is permitted by the limitations of time and space. 

 The organizers of our Congress have honored me with the charge of 

 presenting such preliminary view of its field as may make clear the 

 spirit of our undertaking. 



Certain tendencies characteristic of the science of our day clearly 

 suggest the direction of our thoughts most appropriate to the oc- 

 casion. Among the strongest of these is one toward laying greater 

 stress on questions of the beginning of things, and regarding a know- 

 ledge of the laws of development of any object of study as necessary 

 to the understanding of its present form. It may be conceded that 

 the principle here involved is as applicable in the broad field before 

 us as in a special research into the properties of the minutest or- 

 ganism. It therefore seems meet that we should begin by inquir- 

 ing what agency has brought about the remarkable development 

 of science to which the world of to-day bears witness. This view is re- 

 cognized in the plan of our proceedings, by providing for each great 

 department of knowledge a review of its progress during the century 

 that has elapsed since the great event commemorated by the scenes 

 outside this hall. But such reviews do not make up that general 

 survey of science at large which is necessary to the development of 

 our theme, and which must include the action of causes that had 

 their origin long before our time. The movement which culminated 



