liv KEPORT — 1866. 



check their observations, to assist, by the thoughts of several minds, the 

 promotion of the inquiry undertaken ; they contribute from a joint purse 

 to such efforts as their members deem most worthj^ ; thej^ afford a means of 

 submitting to a competent tribunal notices and memoirs, and of obtaining 

 for their authors and others, by means of the discussions wliich ensue, in- 

 formation given by those best informed on the particular subject ; they 

 enable the author to judge whether it is worth his while to pursue the sub- 

 jects he has brought forward, and they defray the expense of printing and 

 publishing such researches as are thought deserving of it. 



These advantages, and others might be named, pertain to the Association 

 the 36th Meeting of which we are this evening assembled to inaugurate ; 

 but it has, from its intermittent and peripatetic character, advantages which 

 belong to none of the societies which are fixed as to their locality. 



Among these are the novelty and freshness of an annual meeting, which, 

 while it brings together old Members of the Association, many of whom only 

 meet on this occasion, always adds a quota of new Members, infusing new 

 blood, and varpng the social character of our meetings. 



The visits of distinguished foreigners, whom we have pre^iously known by 

 reputation, is one of the most delightful and improving of the results. The 

 wide field of inquiry, and the character of communications made to the 

 Association, including all branches of natural knowledge, and A'arying from 

 simple notices of an interesting observation or experiment, to the most in- 

 tricate and refined branches of scientific research, is another valuable charac- 

 teristic. 



Lastly, perhaps the greatest advantage resulting from the annual visits 

 of this great parliament to new localities is that, while it imparts fresh 

 local knowledge to the visitors, it leaves behind stimulating memories, wliich 

 rouse into permanent activity dormant or timid minds — an effect which, so far 

 from ceasing with the \dsit of the Association, frequently begins when that 

 visit terminates. 



Every votary of physical science must be anxious to see it recognized by 

 those institutions of the country which can to the greatest degree promote 

 its cultivation and reap from it the greatest benefit. You will probably 

 agree with me that the principal educational establishments on the one hand, 

 and on the other the Government, in many of its departments, are the insti- 

 tutions which may best fulfil these conditions. The more early tlie mind is 

 trained to a pui'suit of any kmd, the deeper and more permanent are llie 

 impressions received, and the more service can be rendered by the students. 



" Quo semcl est imbuta recens servabit odorem 

 Testa diu." 



Little can be achieved in scientific research without an acquaintance with 

 it in youth ; you wiU rarely find an instance of a man who has attained any 

 eminence in science who has not commenced its study at a very early 

 period of life. Nothing, again, can tend more to the promotion of science 

 than the exertions of those who have early acquired the yOos resulting from 

 a scientific education. I desire to make no complaint of the tardiness with 

 which science has been received at our public schools and, Avith some ex- 

 ceptions, at our Universities. These great establishments have their roots 

 in historical periods, and long time and patient endeavour is requisite be- 

 fore a new branch of thought can be grafted with success on a stem to which 

 it is exotic. Nor should I ever wish to see the study of languages, of history, 

 of all those refined associations which the past has transmitted to us, ne- 



