34 REPORT — 1875. 



sucli system is possible and were generally adopted, eacli school sending annually 

 to the Universities, or other institutions for the education of young men, its small 

 contribution of scientific students, the Professors' lectm-e-rooms and laboratories 

 woidd be filled with young men who had already learnt the rudiments of science. 

 Laboratories of research as well as of elementary insti'uction would find a place at 

 the English Universities, and the reproach of bai-renness would be rolled away. 



Some of the defects or difficulties to which I have adverted are perliaps peculiar 

 to om- older schools and universities. The introduction of the study of natm-al 

 science has borne earlier fruit in schools whose celebrity is of more recent date, 

 such as the excellent College in this neighbourhood. O.xford and Cambridge ought 

 to possess, but are far from possessing, such laboratories as have lately been built 

 at the Owens College, Manchester. It is proposed to constitute in this citv a 

 College of Science and Literatm'e, similar to Owens College and in connexion willi 

 two of the Oxford Colleges. The scheme set forth by its promoters appears 

 thoroughly wise and well considered, and all who are interested in scientihc educa- 

 tion must wish it success. 



I have placed first among the modes in which science, and in particular Chemi- 

 cal science, may be advanced the assignment to it of a more prominent and honoured 

 place in education ; but owing, as I do, my own scientific calling and opportunities 

 of work to a bequest made to Christ Chm-ch by Dr. Matthew Lee more than a 

 hundi'ed years ago, I cannot forget or disbelieve in the influence of endowments. 



I have spoken of the leisurely class in this country as that to which scientific 

 Chemistry must look for its votaries. In our social conditions and in the absence 

 of endowments it is hard to see where else they can be found. Men who have 

 their livelihood to make cannot afford to spend monej', and still less to bestow their 

 time and energy, on the luxury of scientific inquiry. Even if they have the oppor- 

 tunity of earning their livelihood by scientific teaching, and with it the command 

 of laboratory and apparatus, no leisure may remain to them for original work ; and 

 the impulse to such work (often, it must be admitted, of a feeble constitution) 

 may be starved in the midst of plenty. The application of endowments to the 

 promotion of original research is a difficidt question. I am inclined to think 

 that posts, constituted chiefly with this object, should be attached in every case 

 to some educational body, and should have light educational duties assigned to 

 them. The midtiplication of such posts in connexion with the many colleges 

 and schools in this country, where there is some small demand for chemical 

 teaching, with the pro\-ision in each case of a sufficient laboratory and means of 

 work, would probably do more than any centralized scheme for the promotion of 

 chemical research. 



To the advancement of Chemistry by the formation of public opinion on the 

 questions of scientific education and the endowment of original research, the 

 Chemical Section of the British Association may reasonably hope to contribute. 

 But doubts have been expressed as to the serviceableness of tliis or any such 

 organization for the direct advancement of our Science itself. No doubt we can- 

 not accomplish much. Chemical inquirers at the present time may be compared 

 to a party of children picking wild flowers in a large field ; at first all were near 

 together, but as they advanced they separated, till now they are widely scattered, 

 singly or in groups, each busy upon some little spot, while for every flower that is 

 gathered ten thousand others remain untouched. 



That the Science of Chemistry would advance more rapidly if it were possible 

 to organize Chemists into working parties, having each a definite region to explore, 

 cannot, I think, be doubted. Is such organization in any degree possible ? 



The experiments of which Bacon has left a record, though curious historically, 

 have no scientific value. But in one respect his ' Phj^siological Remains ' furnisli 

 an example which we might foUow with profit. " Furthermore," he writes, " we 

 propose wishes of such things as are hitherto only desired and not had, together 

 with those things which border on them, for the exciting the industry of man's 

 mind." I wiU quote further, as an example, a part of one of his " wishes," which 

 has very recently been fulfilled. " Upon glass four things would be put in proof. 

 The first, means to make the glass more crystalline. The second, to make it more 

 strong for falls and for fire, though it come not to the degree to be malleable." 



