TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION F. 755 



The petition was dismissed, but the Society (the Equitable) was formed, and 

 in spite of the gloomy prognostications at its birth had afterwards, at one time, 

 nearly 20,000,000A of assurances on lives in force together. 



The proceedings at Exeter, in 18G9, were opened by an address from Sir 

 Stafford Northcote, in which, in addition to making some yery curious comparisons 

 between the statistics of Devonshire and Lancashire, he illustrated the working 

 of the Law of Variation and the Law of Stability, pointed out the use of 

 imagination in giving life to the details which statisticians accumulate, charac- 

 terised the present as pre-eminently a statistical age, and spoke some words of 

 warning, not unneeded, against an indulgence in our national weakness for waste. 



At Liverpool, in 1870, we were presided over by Mr. Jevons, who amongst many.- 

 important observations made the following, which should be had in remembi-aace ■ 

 if ever the relations of our Section to the other parts of the British Association 

 are again brought under review : — 



' I have always felt great gratification that the founders of this Association did! 

 not in any narrow spirit restrict its inquiries and discussions to the domain of 

 physical science. The existence of this section is a standing recognition of tha 

 truth that the condition of the people is governed by definite laws, however com-» 

 plicated and difficult of discovery they may be. It is no valid reproach against us 

 that we cannot measure and explain, and predict with the accuracy of a chemist 

 or an astronomer. Difficult as may be the problems presented to the experimental- 

 ist in his investigation of material nature, they are easy compared with the 

 problems of human nature, of which we must attempt the solution. I allow that 

 our knowledge of the causes in action is seldom sure and accurate, so as to present 

 the appearance of true science. 



'There is no_ one who occupies a less enviable position than the political' 

 economist. Cultivating the frontier regions between certain knowledge and con- 

 jecture, his efforts and advice are scorned and rejected on all hands. If he arrives 

 at a sure law of human nature, and points out the evils which arise from its- 

 neglect, he is fallen upon by the large classes of people who think their own 

 common sense sufficient ; he is charged with being too abstract in his speculations 

 with overlooking the windings of the human heart, and with undervaluino- the' 

 affections. ^ 



'However humane his motives, he is lucky if he escape being set down on 

 all sides as a heartless misanthrope. Such was actually the fate of one of the 

 most humane and excellent of men, the late Mr. Malthus. On the other hand it 

 IS only the enhghtened and wide-minded scientific men who treat the political 

 economist with any cordiality. I much fear that, as physical philosophers become 

 more and more successful, they tend to become, like other conquerors, arrogant 

 and selfish ; they forget the absurd theories, the incredible errors, the Ion- endur- 

 ing debates, out of which their own knowledge has emerged, and look wilh scorn 

 upon our economic science, because we are still struggling to overcome difficulties 

 lar greater than ever they encountered. But again, I regard the existence of this 

 bection as a satisfactory recognition of the absolute necessity of doing our best to- 

 cultivate economic subjects in a scientific spirit.' 



This address may be said to mark an epoch, because in the course of it the 

 Chairman was able, for the first time in English History, to use words which 

 many active members of our Section who did not live to hear them would have 

 rejoiced to hear :—' I am glad to say that in spite of all opponents we have an 

 Jviucation Act ; and he went on to advocate a great and unaccomplished reform 

 dole^chaSf *° "^^^""^^ °^ *^^ ^""**' °^ °"'' """^™®^able and most pernicious 



In 1871, at Edinburgh, we met under the genial rule of Lord Neaves, and it is 

 curious to observe how the uncontrollable mirthfulness of that eminent iudo-e kept 

 breaking through the gravity of his address, and illustrating the old words :— ■ 



' All things are big with jest, there's nought so plain 

 But may be witty if thou hast the vein.' 



It is likewise noticeable that although, as we have seen, we were statisticians 



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