APPENDIX I. 927 



have placed within the reach of the most limited income products which all the 

 wealth of Croesus could not have sufficed to give him. 



Science, in a word, has raised the standard of living of humanity, and who 

 dare venture to prescribe its future ? 



But, gentlemen, science has effected something more marvellous yet, and of 

 still greater utility to mankind. It has removed distances, united continents, and 

 brought nations together. Of this no better proof need be asked than your pre- 

 sence here to-day. To whose mind would it have occurred to bring your Associa- 

 tion to Canada, when it required five days to travel from London to Liverpool, 

 and several months to cross the ocean ? Quebec is nearer London now, than the 

 latter was to Edinburgh a century ago. If the residence of the Queen was to-day 

 at Vancouver, Jeannie Deans could go there to beg her sister's pardon, in less time,. 

 and with less fatigue, than when she found it necessary to travel from the heart of 

 Midlothian to Richmond Park. 



Who, that has followed the progress of science during the last half century, 

 witnessed the marvels which it has produced, and enjoyed the riches which it hr.s 

 unearthed, would not wish to live for fifty years more, just to see what new 

 victories it will achieve for us during that period ? 



Nothing, gentlemen, is more conducive to the progress and diffusion of science, 

 than associations like yours, composed of all those who contribute to its progress 

 by their discoveries, or their works, or who manifest an interest in its proceedings 

 by pecuniary encouragement. It spreads its conquests everywhere, and contributes 

 to new discoveries and higher aims, by bringing together from time to time, those 

 who range themselves beneath its banners. 



Our country is yet too young to possess an Association like yours. The cares of 

 daily life, and the constant struggles against the obstacles which nature has thrown 

 in our way, engross too much of our attention. We have not that leisure which 

 is necessary for scientific research on a very extended scale. But we appreciate it 

 none the less, and science has amongst us some worthy representatives. 



We esteem it a very great honour that you have this year selected our country 

 as the scene of your great scientific assembly. Our only regret is, that our own 

 city was not chosen. But we cherish the hope that this selection has only been 

 postponed for a very few years. And if, in the near future, when the trip from 

 Liverpool to Quebec will be a matter of some five days only, when progress in the 

 art of ship-building, or discoveries of medical science, will have rendered sea-sick- 

 ness a thing of the past, your Association will think fit to hold its annual meeting' 

 on Cape Diamond, you may rest assured that a most hearty welcome will await you. 



FROM THE CITIZENS OF OTTAWA. 



[Presented August 30.] 



Gentlemen of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 



I have the honour, 1 in the name of the citizens of Ottawa, to offer to you a most 

 hearty welcome to this, the capital city of the Dominion of Canada, and to assure 

 you of the pride and satisfaction with which we seize the opportunity so happily 

 afforded us of extending our hospitality to representatives of perhaps the foremost 

 and most distinguished scientific body in the world. 



Our city falls far short in population and resources of some other cities of the 

 Dominion,. but we should not willingly yield to any in the honour we pay to the 

 august name and beneficent cause of science. 



The Association, gentlemen, of which you are members, represents that cause 

 in all its breadth and universality. It stands for the whole scientific movement of 

 the age. It is committed, therefore, to no narrow views or partial interpretations, 

 but exists as a powerful agency for uniting the forces of science, for checking the 



1 Read by the Chairman of the Reception Committee. 



