ADDRESS. Ixxxi 



to its importance, and is prcjiared to aid in carrying out any proposal which 

 offers a reasonable prospect of advantage. 



In its recent phase the question of scientific research has been mixed up 

 with contemplated changes in the great universities of England, and par- 

 ticularly in the University of Oxford. The national interests involved on 

 aU sides are immense, and a false step once taken may be irretrievable. It 

 is with diffidence that I now refer to the subject, even after having given to 

 it the most anxious and careful consideration. 



As regards the higher mathematics, their cultivation has hitherto been 

 chiefly confined to the Universities of Cambridge and Dublin, and two great 

 mathematical schools will probably be sufficient for the kingdom. The case 

 of the physical and natural sciences is different, and they ought to be cul- 

 tivated in the largest and widest sense at every complete university. Nor, 

 in applying this remark to the English universities, must we forget that if 

 Cambridge was the alma mater of Newton and Cavendish, Oxford gave birth 

 to the Eoyal Society. The ancient renown of Oxford will surely uot suffer, 

 while her material position cannot fail to be strengthened, by the expansion 

 of scientific studies and the encoiiragement of scientific research within her 

 walls. Nor ought such a proposal to be regarded as in any way hostUo to 

 the literary studies, and especially to the ancient classical studies, which 

 have always been so carefully cherished at Oxford. If, indeed, there were 

 any such risk, few would hesitate to exclaim — let science shift elsewhere for 

 herself, and let literature and philosophy find shelter in Oxford ! But there 

 is no ground for any such anxiety. Literature and science, philosophy and 

 art, when properly cultivated, far from opposing, will mutually aid one 

 another. Tliere will be ample room for aU, and, by judicious an-angements, 

 all may receive the attention they deserve. 



A University, or Studium Generale, ought to embrace in its arrangements 

 the whole circle of studies which involve the material interests of society, as 

 well as those which cultivate intellectual refinement. The industries of the 

 country should look to the universities for the development of the principles 

 of applied as well as of abstract science ; and in this respect no institutions 

 have ever had so grand a possession within easy reach as have the univer- 

 sities of England at this conjuucture, if only they have the courage to seize it. 

 "With their historic reputation, their coUegiate endowments, their command- 

 ing influence, Oxford and Cambridge should continue to be all that they now 

 are ; but they should, moreover, attract to their lecture-halls and working 

 cabinets students in large numbers preparing for the higher industrial piu-- 

 suits of the country. The great physical laboratory in Cambridge, founded 

 and equipped by the noble representative of the House of Cavendish, has in 

 this respect a peculiar significance, and is an important step in the direction 

 I have indicated. But a small number only of those for whom this temple 

 of science is designed are now to be found in Cambridge. It remains for the 



1876. / 



