TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 67 



in many respects the advantage oyer literary studies. There is superahundaut scope 

 for the exercise of the memory ; the powers of observation are developed by it to a 

 wonderful degi'ee; the reasoning powers may be well disciplined on the philosophy of 

 chemical change, or the application of the laws of Dalton, Mitscherlich, and Avo- 

 gadro ; while the imagination may be cultivated by the attempt to form a conception 

 of the ultimate particles of matter, with their affinities and atomicities, as they act 

 and react upon one another under the control of the physical forces. And I might 

 speak of higher considerations than mere intellectual culture ; for surely the works 

 of the All wise and Bountiful Creator are a more truthful and a purer subject of con- 

 templation for the opening minds of youth, and more in accordance with Christian 

 ideas, than are the crude notions of a past stage of civilization, and the ignorant 

 and gross fancies of a defunct paganism. 



There is another requirement in education — the training of the mind to the dis- 

 covery and recognition of truth. For this purpose philological studies have no fit- 

 ness ; mathematical studies, though peculiarly adapted for it, apply only to cases 

 where demonstrative proof is possible ; but the study of physical science is remark- 

 ably well fitted for teaching the proper methods of inquiry, and the strict relations 

 between theory and fact. Now the historian, the politician, the mental philosophei', 

 the theologian, or any one else who desires to influence the thoughts of his fellow 

 men, should be in a position to distinguish between truth and error in his own de- 

 partment ; and his mind may be well disciplined for this by a study which is less 

 liable to be disturbed by human passions, predilections, or wishes, and where the 

 conclusions are more readily brought to the test of observation or experiment. 



Our Government insists on a certain standard of education for all who are allowed 

 to teach in our elementary schools. In those schools which receive no State aid it 

 is only public opinion which can insist that the teacher shall be duly qualified him- 

 self. Such bodies as the British Association form this public opinion, and will de- 

 serve well of their country if they demand that these masters and mistresses shall 

 know something of the material universe in which they move, and be able to im- 

 part to every child such scientific knowledge as shall afford him an interesting sub- 

 ject for thought, give him useful information, and discipline his mental powers. 



Among the many sei"vices rendered by the monthly reports of the progress of 

 chemistry which the Chemical Society publishes, and the British Association helps 

 to pay for, there is one which is rather salutary than pleasant. They bring pao- 

 minently before our notice the fact that in the race of original research we are 

 being distanced by foreign chemists. 1 refer not to the quality of our work, about 

 which opinions will probably differ, but to the quantity, which can be determined 

 by very simple arithmetic. This is a matter of no small importance, not only for 

 the honour of England, but still more for the advancement of science and the 

 welfare of man. From the Physical Chair of this Association last year, a note of 

 warning was uttered in the following words, after a reference to the sad fate of 

 Newton's successors who allowed mathematical science almost to die out of the 

 country : — " If the successors of Davy and Faraday pause to ponder even on their 

 achievements, we shall soon be again in the same state of ignominious inferiority." 

 The President of the Chemical Society also, in the last Anniversary Address, di-ew 

 attention to the diminished activity of Chemical discovery, and to the lamentable 

 fewness of original papers communicated. He traces this chiefly to "the non- 

 recognition of experimental research by our universities," and suggests that in the 

 granting of science-degrees every candidate should be required, as in Germany, to 

 prove his ability for original investigation. 



Concurring in this, I would remark that other causes have also been assigned, 

 and other suggestions have been made. There is the small recognition of original 

 research even by our learned Societies — at least such recognition as wiU come home 

 to the understanding of the general public. It is true the fellowship of the Royal 

 Society is awarded mainly for original discoveries, and there are two or three 

 medals to be disposed of annually ; but these distinctions fall to the lot of tne 

 seniors in science, often men who are beyond the need of encouragement; and 

 though they doubtless are serviceable as incentives, there is many a beginner in 

 the honourable contest of discovery who is too modest even to hope for the blue 



