442 MEMOIB OF GEOKGE WILSON. CHAP. X. 



the rustication. I certainly feel stronger, and though using all 

 precaution, have been assuring myself of increased strength, by 

 visits to Hat Factories and Comb-makers' premises." 



In the opening lecture for the Session of 1856-7, while defin- 

 ing Technology as " the sum or complement of all the sciences 

 which either are, or may be made, applicable to the industrial 

 labours or utilitarian necessities of man," he dwells on those 

 most closely related to the recurring urgencies of daily labour, 

 and, therefore, of pre-eminent importance. The lecture appeared 

 in the 'Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine' for January 1857, 

 with the title ' On the Physical Sciences which form the Basis 

 of Technology.' It contains beautiful personifications of some 

 of the sciences, while abounding in practical scientific details. 

 Of these pictures we take one : " Geology is half of the heavens, 

 half of the earth. She stands an imperial queen, with her head 

 among the stars, and her tresses are white with the snows of 

 ages ; but her feet, graceful and quick, are beneath the young 

 grass, and are wet with the dews of to-day. Her hands are often 

 raised to shade her eyes, as she gazes through space to exchange 

 greetings with each sister-presence in the worlds around. But 

 her fingers are as often busy with homely cares, and with bended 

 forehead she traces for the tenant-lord of her estate the best 

 track for his railway, and channel for his canal, and shows him 

 where to find coal and iron, and how to dig for gold." 



In order to extend a knowledge of the new science, and to 

 interest all classes in the Industrial Museum, he delivered, in 

 December, by request of the Educational Institute of Scotland, 

 an address ' On Technology as a Branch of Education ;' and on 

 Christmas Eve, by solicitation of the Committee of the " Art- 

 Manufacture Association," a lecture ' On the Eelation of Indus- 

 trial to Ornamental Art/ The latter has been published. 1 



At a conversazione of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, before 

 the close of the year, he delivered the lecture on ' Chemical 

 Final Causes/ which forms one of the ' Edinburgh University 

 Essays for 1856.' 2 In it he attempts to add to the ever- 

 accumulating proofs of design by showing, especially, that 



1 Edmonston and Douglas. Edinburgh. 1857. 

 3 A. & C. Black. Edinburgh. 1857. 



