lvi REPORT— 1860. 



cheerful laugh which invariably accompanied the quaint and witty terms in 

 which Buckland usually announced to his brother Geologist some new dis- 

 covery, or illustrated the facts and principles of his favourite science. At 

 the time, however, to which I refer, the study of physical science was chiefly 

 confined to a somewhat scanty attendance on the Chemical Lectures of Dr. 

 Kidd, and on those on Experimental Philosophy by Rigaud ; and in pure 

 mathematics the fluxional notation still kept its ground. In the year 1818 

 Vince's Astronomy, and in the following year theDifferential Notation, was first 

 introduced in the mathematical examinations for honours. At that time 

 that fine foundation the Radcliffe Observatory was wholly inactive ; the 

 observer was in declining health, and the establishment was neither useful to 

 astronomical students, nor did it contribute in any way to the advancement 

 of Astronomical Science. Even from the commencement of the present 

 century, and in proportion as the standard of acquirement in classical learning 

 was gradually raised by the emulation excited by the examinations for 

 honours, the attendance on the above-mentioned Lectures gradually declined : 

 but a similar cause enhanced the acquirements of students in pure and 

 applied Mathematics, and the University began to number among its 

 Graduates and Professors men of great eminence in those departments of 

 knowledge. Nor were the other sciences neglected ; and as Chairs became 

 vacant or new Professorships were established, men of European reputation 

 were appointed to fill them. In proof of all this I need only direct atten- 

 tion to the names on the roll of Secretaries, Vice-Presidents and Presidents 

 of Sections, to convince you that Oxford now contains among her resident 

 Graduates, men amply qualified to establish and advance the scientific fame 

 of that University, of which they are the distinguished ornaments. 



On the progress of Astronomy I will, as becomes me, enter into more 

 detail. And it is not without pain that I allude to this subject, because I am 

 reminded that one has been removed from among us by the hand of death, 

 whom I had looked forward to meeting again on this occasion with peculiar 

 pleasure. I never knew anyone who had the interests of science more truly 

 at heart, or laboured more diligently to advance them, than the late Radcliffe 

 Observer, Mr. Manuel Johnson. . By his exertions and indefatigable zeal 

 the Radcliffe Observatory was enabled to take its proper place among the 

 Scientific Institutions of the world. By the liberality of the Trustees and 

 by the exertion of his influence, new instruments were purchased, and an 

 extensive series of valuable astronomical observations was made; and, what 

 is quite as important, they were regularly reduced and published. In addi- 

 tion to all this, a noble array of self-recording meteorological instruments was 

 brought into action, and their records duly reduced and co-ordinated. I was 

 myself a candidate in 18:iy for that office to which Mr. Johnson was then 

 appointed, and I have often rejoiced that I was not successful, as it would 

 have retarded for a time the promotion of one, to whom Astronomy owes a 

 deep debt of gratitude. Mr. Johnson was suddenly taken from us at a time 



