NOTICES AND ABSTEACTS 



OF 



MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS TO THE SECTIONS. 



MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS. 



Address ly the President, Sir W. Thomson, LL.D., F.B.S. 



The progress of mathematical and physical science dm-iug the past year will be 

 better represented bj- the valuable reports to be laid before this Section, and the 

 lines of thought which hare originated since the British Association last met will 

 be better illustrated by the papers and discussions which will constitute our or- 

 dinary daily work, than by any statement which I could liave prepared. It was 

 therefore my intention not to detain yoii from the interesting subjects and abundant 

 matter for discussion which will so fully occupy our time during the Meeting, by 

 an introductory address. But I must ask you to bear with me if I modify some- 

 what this resolution in consec|uence of a recent event which, I am sure, must touch 

 very neerly the hearts of all present, and of very many in all parts of the world, to 

 whom the name of Faraday has become a household word for all that is admirable 

 in scientific genius. Having had so short a time for preparation, I shall not attempt 

 at present any accormt of Faraday's discoveries and philosophy. But, indeed, it 

 is very unnecessary that I should speak of what he has done for science. All that 

 lives for us still, and parts of it we shall meet at every turn through our work in 

 this Section. I wish I coidd put into words something of the image which the 

 name of Faraday always suggests to my mind. Kindliness and unselfishness of 

 disposition ; clearness and singleness of purpose ; brevity, simplicity, and direct- 

 ness ; sympathy with his audience or his friend ; perfect natural tact and good 

 taste ; thorough cultivation : — all these he had, each to a rare degi'ee ; and their 

 influence pervaded his language and manner, whether in conversation or lecture. 

 But all these combined, made only a part of Faraday's cliarm. lie had an inde- 

 scribable quality of quiclmess and life. Something of the light of his genius irra- 

 diated his presence with a certain bright intelligence, and gave a singidar charm 

 to his manner, which was surely felt by every one, from the deepest philosopher 

 to the simplest child, who ever had the privilege of seeing him in his home — the 

 Eoyal Institution. That light is now gone from us. "While thankful for having seen 

 and felt it, we cannot but moiun our loss, and feel that whatever good things, 

 whatever brightness may be yet in store for us, that light we can never see again. 



On tlie cdleged Correspondence between Pascal and Ncivton. 



Bii Sir David Brewstee, K.H., LL.D., F.B.S. , 4'c. 



Sir Da^"id Brewster said that he had received from ^M. Chasles several of Xewton's 



letters or notes, which he supposes to be genuine. He would only read one or two 



observations tending to show that this was a gigantic fraud — tlie greatest, he be- 



1867. 1 



