TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 179 



The name Statistics, in its true meaning, denotes all knowledge relating to the 

 condition of the State or people. I am sorry to observe, indeed, that many persons 

 now use the word statistical as if it were synonymous with numerical ; but it is a 

 mere accident of the information with which we deal, that it is often expressed 

 in a numerical or tabular form. As other sciences prog:-ess, they become more a 

 matter of quantity and number, and so does our science ; but we must not suppose 

 that the occurrence of numerical statements is the mark of statistical infonnation. 



In order, however, that any subject can be titly discussed by a Section of this As- 

 sociation, it should be capable of scientific treatment. We must not only have facts, 

 numerical or otherwise, but those facts must be analyzed, arranged, and explained 

 by inductive or deductive processes, as nearly as possible identical with those which 

 have led to undoubted success in other branches of science. 1 have always felt 

 great gratification that the foimders of this Association did not in any narrow 

 spirit restrict its inquiiies and discussions to the domain of physical science. The 

 existence of this Section is a standing recognition of the truth that the condition 

 of the people is governed by definite laws, however complicated and difficidt of 

 discovery they may be. It is no valid reproach against us that we cannot measure, 

 and explain, and predict vrith the accuracy of a chemist or an astronomer. Diffi- 

 cult as may be the problems presented to the experimentalist in his investigation 

 of material nature, they are easy compared with the problems of human nature, 

 of which we must attempt the solution. I allow that our knowledge of the causes 

 in action is seldom sure and accurate, so as to present the appearance of true 

 .science. 



There is no one who occupies a less enviable position than the political econo- 

 mist. Cultivating the frontier regions between certain knowledge and conjecture, 

 his efforts and advice are scorned and rejected on all hands. If he arrives at a sure 

 law of human nature, and points out the evils which arise from its neglect, he is 

 fallen upon by the large classes of people wlio think their own common sense suffi- 

 cient ; he is charged with being too abstract in his speculations, with overlooking 

 the windings of the human heart, and with undervaluing the afiections. However 

 humane his motives, he is lucky if he escape being set down on aU sides as a heart- 

 less misanthrope. Such was actually the fate of one of the most humane and ex- 

 cellent of men, the late Mr. Malthus. On the other hand, it is only the enlightened 

 and wide-minded scientific men who treat the political economist with any cor- 

 diality. I much fear that, as physical philosophers become more and more suc- 

 cessfiil, they tend to become, like other conquerors, arrogant and selfish ; they forget 

 the absurd theories, the incredible eri'ors, the long enduring debates out of which 

 their own knowledge has emerged, and look with scom upon our economic science, 

 our statistics, or our still more vague body of knowledge called social science, be- 

 cause we are still struggling to overcome difficulties far gi-eater than ever they 

 encountered. But, again, I regard the existence of this Section as a satisfactory 

 recognition of the absolute necessity of doing our best to cultivate economic sub- 

 jects in a scientific spirit. 



The gi-eat and everlasting benefits which physical science has confeiTed upon the 

 human race are on every side acknowledged ; yet they are only the smaller half of 

 what is wanted. It daily becomes more apparent that the highest successes in 

 the scientific arts and manufactures are compatible with deep and almost hopeless 

 poverty in the mass of the people. We subdue material nature, we spin and 

 weave, and melt and forge with a minimum of labour and a maximum of result j 

 but of what advantage is all this while human nature remains unsubdued, and a 

 large part of the population are too ignorant, careless, improvident, or vicious to 

 appreciate or accumulate the wealth which science brings. Chemistry cannot 

 analyze the heart ; it cannot show us how to temper the passions or moidd the 

 habits. The social sciences are the necessary complement to the physical sciences, 

 for by their aid alone can the main body of the population be rendered honest, 

 temperate, provident, and intelligent. 



In this kingdom dm-ing the last thirty or forty years we have tried a mighty 

 experiment, and to a great extent we have failed. The growth of the arts and 

 manufactures and the establishment of free trade have opened the vddest means 

 of employment and brought an accession of wealth previously unknown : the fi'e- 



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