198 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



It may be considered somewhat prolix this enumeration of 

 names, but the writings of these distinguished men throw 

 such a flood of light on the history of the period that I can- 

 not with propriety omit to point to them as strikingly repre- 

 sentative men of the time. As regards living authors and cul- 

 tivators of science I name them not. I only say to my hearers, 

 circicmspice. 



To criticise the works of the authors named, considering 

 our limited time, would be quite inappropriate, but this is the 

 less necessary, however, as I take it for granted that every one 

 here is familiar with current scientific literature, and the 

 short sketches I have given of the philosophy of the past will 

 serve to freshen their memory, and be sufficiently indicative to 

 enable my hearers to form their own opinion as to the com- 

 parative progress of science during the earlier and the later 

 periods of the century under review. 



I think, from what has been said, we may safely assume 

 that science has made a rush forward, and that, in the present 

 day, its annals exhibit an importance and lustre which history 

 has not chronicled as existing at any previous period of time. 

 It is a legitimate subject of inquiry, therefore, to ascertain if 

 by any means sufficient reasons can be shown for so satisfac- 

 tory a result. 



I shall consider the subject under two heads, viz., first, 

 popular science ; and second, advanced science. 



Popular Science. — At no time in the history of the world 

 has the educational machinery been so complete for teaching 

 and indoctrinating, I had almost said cramming, the masses 

 of the people with knowledge, as in the present day. To one 

 who can look back as I can fifty or sixty years to the days 

 when the miserable chap books (now looked upon only as 

 curiosities) were the chief circulating literature among the 

 industrial classes, the transition from comparative darkness to 

 light is surprising. The change is striking as well as gratify- 

 ing, and I am continually asking myself if this illumination 

 will continue to go on steadily increasing, or after a time 

 subside, have a period of decadence, and resolve itself again 

 into another dark age. History tells us of a high state of 

 civilisation and intelligence existing three thousand years ago. 



