PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 303 



tiou to tlic wants of a progressive ago. The example set by Prof. Joy in 

 addressing tlie Chemical Society of Union College, at its last anniversary^ 

 should be followed b}^ other scientific teachers. If societies devoted to 

 Chemistrj', Botany, Zoology, Geology and Astronomy, could be addressed 

 by those who are competent to present a digest of all the prominent dis- 

 coveries made during the year, a new interest would be given to College 

 Commencements, not only by lending the charm of variety to the proceed- 

 ings, but also by enlightening in science a large class of annual visitors, 

 who would appreciate its importance. The rapid strides of discovery are 

 not realized by those who ought to be most benefited. A college graduate 

 of twenty years' standing, wIhj has failed to inform himself of the forward 

 movements in science, will be found to-day, in practical knowledge, behind 

 some of the scholars of our Common Schools. The absence of evidence of 

 genuine preparation for the duties of life has occasionally raised doubts 

 regarding the beneficial tendency of College Commencements. Amid all the 

 glitter and show of these anniversaries, there is no assurance, in some 

 cases, that the acquirements of the graduate about to assume the responsi- 

 bilities of citizenship are of ^he practical kind fitting him to fill the post 

 to which duty maj' assign hi . It is with satisfaction conceded that our 

 leading universities have provided a special course of scientific study, and 

 that many who have taken advantage of it have already acquired distinc- 

 tion and wealth. Still, the scientific course is regarded as rather subordi- 

 nate, than superior, to the classical. It is confidently hoped that the domi- 

 nating influence of Science will soon effect the improvements suggested, 

 and that as an incentive to those who are making observations in fields 

 which promise no lucrative return, our universities will confer on them 

 high degrees of honor, for enlarging the domain of Physics and Chemistry, 

 thus distinguishing them from those who have acquired literary distinction. 



SCTEXCE ESSENTIALLY MODERN. 



We cannot, however, consistently complain that the claims of Science 

 are not fully recognized, when vv^e reflect upon its comparatively recent 

 origin. Since the invention of the telescope, the microscope, the ther- 

 mometer, the barometer, and many delicate measuring instruments, Nature 

 has been faithfully interrogated by thousands of observers, and their reports 

 have been properly classified and arranged. Thus order has arisen out of 

 seeming conflict and confusion, and every new law announced has con- 

 firmed tlie general belief in a unity of Power and Design The Science of 

 to-day therefore differs radically from the meager and unsystematized 

 knowledge possessed by the ancients. The principal discoveries relating 

 to the position and composition of matter, and the demonstration of the 

 absolute fi.xity of its properties, under like conditions, have all been made 

 within a comparatively recent period. We shall be more fully impressed 

 with the truth of this statement by a brief allusion to scientific revelations 

 since the formation of our Republic. 



Chemistry, as a science, had its origin with the discovery, in 1774, of 

 Oxygen, the element of which more than one-half of the earth, by weight, 

 is CDmposed. Its discoverer. Dr. Priestly, died in this country in 1804. 

 Lavoisier, his cotcmporary, who first comprehended its properties, and 



