288 SIR WILLIAM RAMSAY 



the formal opening of the Rice Institute, a university 

 of literal and technical learning, founded in the city of 

 Houston, Texas, by William Marsh Rice and dedicated 

 by him to the advancement of letters, science and art." 



These volumes contain the lectures given on the 

 occasion by the eminent men who had been invited to 

 assist by their presence and contributions. Volume 

 three contains the lectures given by Ramsay, the titles 

 of which are as follows : (1) The Electron as an Ele- 

 ment, (2) Compounds of Electrons, (3) The Disruption 

 of the so-called Elements. These lectures develop in 

 greater detail the application of the ideas set forth in 

 addresses to the Chemical Society of London already 

 referred to (p. 181). They are purely speculative, but 

 they illustrate the readiness with which Ramsay could 

 turn from conventional views of chemical action, and 

 the boldness with which he could develop hypotheses 

 to fit the facts. It is true, as he says at the end of 

 lecture two, that " the electron is no mythical conception, 

 and that it enters into the constitution of matter is as 

 certain as that matter exists." It does not follow, 

 however, that there is much positive foundation for 

 hypotheses as to their motions and combinations, and 

 further study of the facts and phenomena connected 

 with chemical action is necessary before solid ground 

 is reached. Until the world settles down again to the 

 peaceful occupations of civilisation there is not much 

 prospect of advance in this direction. 



