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NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
SIR OLIVER LODGE’S ADDRESS. 
Sir Oliver Lodge’s address to the British Association at 
Birmingham, which had received a certain amount of news- 
paper advertisement, was eagerly anticipated by the members, 
but whether their expectations were realized depends to a cer- 
tain extent upon their individual tastes. Much had been made 
‘of Sir Oliver’s apparent belief in a future state, but, as might 
have been expected, he was very guarded in his remarks thereon. 
CONTINUITY. 
Continuity was his theme, and this subject was reached 
after giving a complete review of recent researches in physical 
science—a subject Sir Oliver has made his own. ‘ Rapid 
progress was not characteristic of the latter half of the nine- 
teenth century—at least not in physics. Fine solid dynamical 
foundations were laid, and the edifice of knowledge was 
consolidated ; but wholly fresh ground was not being opened 
up, and totally new buildings were not expected. With the 
realization of predicted ether waves in 1888, the discovery 
of X-rays in 1895, spontaneous radioactivity in 1896, and the 
isolation of the electron in 1898, expectation of further achieve- 
ment became vivid; and novelties, experimental, theoretical, 
and speculative, have been showered upon us ever since this 
century began. That is why I speak of rapid progress.’ 
EXISTING CONTROVERSIES. 
He also referred to the dominating controversies exist- 
ing in various branches of science. For example: ‘in 
Physiology the conflict ranges round Vitalism. (My imme- 
diate predecessor dealt with the subject at Dundee.) In 
Chemistry the debate concerns Atomic structure. (My pen- 
ultimate predecessor is well aware of pugnacity in that region.) 
In Biology the dispute is on the laws of Inheritance. (My 
nominated successor is likely to deal with this subject, probably 
in a way not deficient in liveliness.) And besides these major 
controversies, debate is active in other sections. In Education, 
Curricula generally are being overhauled or fundamentally 
criticized, and revolutionary ideas are promulgated concerning 
the advantages of freedom for infants. In Economic and 
Political Science, or Sociology, what is there that is not under 
discussion ? Not property alone, nor land alone, but every- 
thing—back to the garden of Eden and the inter-relations of 
men and women. Lastly, in the vast group of Mathematical 
and Physical Sciences, slurred over rather than summed up 
as Section A, present-day scepticism concerns what, if I had 
to express it in one word, I should call Continuity.’ 
1913 Oct. tr. 
eee 
