MEETING. 18 



which is arrested by the earth and the substances upon its surface, whereby 

 it is made to do most important work. But, although, in the strict sense of 

 the word, there is no loss of energy, energy may be given off in a form in 

 which it can be no longer of service to man. When it is concentrated in a 

 body, as it is in the sun, far excellence, or, in a lesser degree, in a kettle of 

 hot water, it may be made available for those transformations on which 

 depend the process of life, and of our various manufactures. So far as our 

 physical knowledge goes, the energy stored up in the sun is gradually 

 expended in this sense and gradually lost. Accordingly, the sun is not 

 intended, so far as we can see, for eternal duration in the same state, and 

 performing the same functions as we see it perform at the present day. But 

 in the same way as we go forward in our contemplations we may also go 

 backward, and, if we turn to the nebulse, the spectroscope has shown us that 

 they consist of incandescent gas, which looks as if it were in process of con- 

 centration to form, as it were, the stars. Thus we see that, when we look 

 at the state of nature on a broad scale, we find a state of progress. Our cal- 

 culations enable us to predict, years and years beforehand, the places of the 

 heavenly bodies ; but years and years are but as drops in the ocean when 

 compared with the duration of time, and, when we look at the state of the 

 universe on a grand scale, progress, and not periodicity, is undoubtedly 

 what we see, that is to say, not endless periodicity. If we contemplated 

 nothing but periodicity, perhaps the mind might rest on the idea that here 

 is a state of things that will go on for ever, and that has been going on for 

 a past eternity ; but when we look, as I have already said, on the state of 

 the universe on a grand scale, and see that it is one of progress, that idea is 

 shut out, and we are obliged to refer to a First Cause. (Applause.) This I 

 take to be an important conclusion of modern science in its bearings on 

 those subjects for which the Victoria Institute was founded. (Cheers.) I 

 am afraid, however, I have already occupied too much of your time. (Renewed 

 applause.) 



The resolution was carried by acclamation. 



Mr. D. Howard, F.I.C. — I have to assure you, on behalf of the Council 

 of the Victoria Institute, that they greatly value the confidence you continue to 

 express in their eftbrts to conduct the business of this Society. They do not 

 pretend to have a very brilliant existence in many ways, for, if I may so 

 illustrate their position, in well-ordered ships you will not find the crew 

 or the officers so conspicuous as you might have imagined. There is a 

 good deal of the most important work of a vessel which is done out of sight : 

 and a good deal of our work must of necessity be entirely out of sight. 

 In speaking of the work of the Council I would cordially endorse Mr. 

 McArthur's concluding remark. I have already intimated that the work of 

 the Council is not of the most conspicuous character ; but, however that 

 may be, it is none the less cheerfully rendered for the cause of this Society. 

 (Hear, hear.) We have to thank our many able friends who have given 

 papers, and who have assisted the work of the Institute by valuable 



