100 SIE G. GABRIEL STOKES, BART., P.R.S., ON 



by purely electrical means, exhibit some of the tundamenta] 

 phenomena of light, such, for example, as interference and 

 polarization. It appears that these electro-magnetic waves 

 are strictly of a similar nature to the waves of light, though 

 there is an enormous difference in the scale of wave lengths, 

 which in the case of light range about the -5 0000 ^^ P^^'^ ^^ 

 an inch, while the electro-magnetic waves which have been 

 investigated by purely electrical methods range from a few 

 inches to many yards. 



I have ventured to bring this interesting subject before 

 you in the course of the address which I have just delivered. 

 T have not attempted to lay before you the evidence on 

 which scientific men rely for the truth of the conclusions 

 which I have mentioned as well established. That would 

 have required, not merely an evening address, but a whole 

 course of lectures. Neither have 1 made any allusion to pos- 

 sible bearings of the scientific conclusions on questions relat- 

 ing to religious beliefs. Anything of that kind I leave to 

 your own minds ; my object has been simply to present to 

 you very briefly the conclusions of science in that limited 

 branch which I have selected, distinguishing as impartially 

 as I could what is well established from what is debateable 

 or even merely conjectural. 



His Excellency the Hon. T. F. Bayard (United States 

 Ambassador). — Ladies and Gentlemen, I have great pleasure in 

 moving " That onr best thanks be jDresented to the President, Sir 

 George Gabriel Stokes, for the Annual Address now delivered, and 

 to those who have read papers during the Session." 



Sir H. Barkly, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., F.R.S.— I rise with much 

 pleasure, Ladies and Gentlemen, to second the vote of thanks 

 moved by His Excellency the American Ambassador, whose 

 presence amongst us to-night so shortly after his arrival in this 

 country cannot but be deemed a special compliment to the 

 Victoria Institute. We must all rejoice to welcome a supporter 

 and friend of the principles to further which this Society was 

 founded. The object of the Institute is to show as far as pos- 

 sible that there is not necessarily any antagonism between the 

 teachings of science and religious truth ; and so long as we are 

 fortunate enough to obtain the assistance of gentlemen of the 



