928 report — 1884. 



results obtained in one field of labour by those arrived at in another, and so pro- 

 moting the discovery of truth and the harmonious development of the human 

 mind. 



We recognise in science so pursued, and so brought to bear upon the problems 

 •of the age, the great friend and ally of* the human race, its liberator from error, 

 its guide to higher and nobler conceptions of the constitution and government of 

 the universe, its chief helper in improving, not only the material basis, but the 

 whole structure of our civilisation. Teaching us iu the first place what is, it 

 enables us to learn what ought to be, by exhibiting the relations existing between 

 the different objects of its study, the different elements of human life and its 

 environment. 



We honour the Association to which you belong for the perfect freedom from 

 ^all trammels, whether of patronage or of prejudice, with which it pursues its noble 

 ends. Your aim is not to hold truth captive, but to set her free, that her blessings 

 may be poured fortli on all mankind. 



And while it is true that science, like literature and art, is of no country, and 

 while our homage is due to all who worthily represent it, in whatever nation, or 

 kindred, or tongue, we do not hold it amiss to express towards you, gentlemen, as 

 members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, those warmer 

 feelings of regard and interest which community of race and flag, which a common 

 loyalty to one Government, should naturally inspire. Your standing as men of 

 science is unaffected by the question of nationality, but to us, as Canadians and 

 .subjects of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, there is that in the British 

 name which will always stir the deepest feelings of our hearts. 



Allow me further to say that we hail with peculiar satisfaction the holding for 

 the first time of a meeting of your Association in this part of the British dominions, 

 and that we hope the present occasion will not be the last of its kind, but will 

 prove the precursor of other similar visits, and lead to a closer intellectual inter- 

 course than has heretofore prevailed between Canada and the Mother country. 



Our city is before you. Whatever it contains of worth or interest, it shall be 

 our pleasure this day to bring under your notice. We regret that your stay among 

 us is to be so brief; but we are confident that, brief as it may be, it will not be 

 without much profit to us ; and we can only hope that it will furnish to you here- 

 after some matter for kindly and pleasant recollection. 



FROM THE MAYOR AND CORPORATION OF TORONTO. 



[Presented September 5.] 



To the Right Honourable Lord Rayleujli, F.R.S., President of the British Associa- 

 tion for the Advancement of Science. 



My Lord, — On behalf of her citizens the Mayor and Corporation beg to tender 

 to the members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and 

 to yourself as their distinguished President, a hearty welcome to the City of 

 Toronto. 



We have no doubt, that since your arrival in Canada you have already had, 

 in your progress to the West, many evidences brought before you of that sound and 

 flourishing system of trade and commerce ; of that enterprising spirit in the pro- 

 motion of mechanical and useful manufactures ; and above all, of those well- 

 developed principles of agricultural industry, which are the groundwork of the 

 material prosperity of every commonwealth. 



Referring, therefore, with pleasure to your introduction to these different ex- 

 positions of Canadian progress and industry, we have a peculiar pride in introducing 

 you to Toronto as the principal seat of learning in this province, and we would 

 fain hope that your visits to the institutions which have been reared in so worthy 

 ii cause will tend to show that a good foundation has been laid in our universities, 



