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of the word. One reason probably why the word does not produce any proper 
effect upon the average British ear is that it is not an English term but a 
mere adaptation from the Latin—a language which apparently cannot be 
engrafted upon our Saxon tissues; although, perhaps, it may be that we 
have so little feeling for it because we have been allowed to learn so little 
else in our higher schools: monotony of diet ever favours diminutive growth. 
Germans, I always feel, enjoy a great advantage over us in possessing the 
popular word Wissenschaft—in calling science the business of knowing, the 
business of gaining wisdom, of being wise. 
Coming as we do to Canada to advocate such a cause: to direct attention 
to the principles on which alone such a business can be learnt and con- 
ducted with profit—surely we may count on meeting with the support of 
the public at large; it is this we desire and claim—not merely the support 
of a few specialists; moreover, we do not ask for it in any way as a favour 
but practically demand it as a right—in no way, however, on personal 
grounds or with any display of arrogance but because we are persuaded 
that our message is of such infinite importance to the well-being of the 
community that it is our clear duty to make it of avail. Here it is that 
opinion, not argument, must count: the language of science is and must 
remain, in many ways, a strange one to the public; we must therefore ask 
that they entrust us with their confidence and allow themselves to be 
guided by the experience we have gained. We must be as the prophets of 
old: regardless of consequences, we must insist on the overthrow of the idols 
which a narrow priesthood still attempts to force upon society. We need 
always remember that, as my good friend the Professor expresses it— 
‘Man is an idolater or symbol-worshipper by nature, which, of course, 
is no fault of his; but sooner or later all his local and temporary symbols 
must be ground to powder, like the golden calf—-word-images as well as 
metal and wooden ones.’ It is, as he says, ‘ Rough work, Iconoclasm—but 
the only way to get at Truth.’ 
Naturally I am constrained, on the present occasion, to take stock of 
the position of our science—to draw a comparison between the condition of 
affairs chemical when we met in Aberdeen in 1885 and their present state. 
No like period of human history has been more fruitful of advance; at 
the same time, no period illustrates more clearly the difficulties that lie in 
the path of progress—because of the innate conservatism proper to human 
nature. 
It was my privilege in 1885 to discuss a variety of problems which then 
seemed to be of special importance in relation to the subject of Chemical 
Change, our main province of study. I find the same problems dominant 
now—still unsolved but yet nearer solution. The history of progress, of 
discovery, during the intervening period is wonderfully rich in incident 
—how rich perhaps few realise, as it is obscured by a mass of blinding 
detail. If I attempt to bring some of the scattered threads together and in 
so doing dare to paint a picture which here and there may be startling in 
its outlines and implications; if I venture to follow the example set by one 
who has appeared as an autocrat as well as a professor and sometimes 
give my naked opinions: it will, I trust, be understood that I do so con- 
scious that the sketch I am presenting must be full of the faults to which 
all such attempts are subject. 
In my previous address two very different topics were considered—the 
Educational Outlook and the Theory of Chemical Change. In dealing with 
the former, I drew special attention to the need of creating an atmosphere 
of research in our colleges—then to the faulty curriculum of our schools and 
the need of introducing reforms into practically every branch of education, 
especially medical education. In the interval, considerable progress has 
been made by way of forming plans for the future, even a foundation stone 
