ADDEESS 



OF 



PROFESSOR ALLEN THOMSON, M.D., LL.D., 



F.R.S., F.R.S.E., 

 PRESIDENT. 



After the long interval of sis and thirty years the British Association for 

 the Advancement of Science holds its annual meeting, the forty-seventh 

 since its foundation, in this beautiful and interesting locality ; and, it so 

 happens that, on this occasion as on the former, it passes from Glasgow to 

 Plymouth. We are delighted to be assembled here, and are even surprised 

 that the Association has been able so long to resist the power of attraction 

 by which it has been gravitating towards this place. "While we are prepared 

 to be charmed with the surpassing beauty of its scenery, and know the 

 deep interest of its prehistoric vestiges, its historic memories, and its artistic 

 associations, we have been -frequently reminded of its scientific vigilance 

 by the records of its active work ; and we are now ready and anxious to 

 witness all we can behold of its energy and success in the application of 

 scientific discovery to the practical arts. Should we, as might be expected 

 in a place hitherto so famous in its relation's to our naval and military 

 history, find most prominent that* relating to the mechanism of war, we 

 shall still hope that the attainment of greater perfection in the engines of 

 destruction may only be the means of rendering peace more permanent and 

 secure. 



It is a source of regret to myself, and may be, I fear, a cause of detriment 

 to this Meeting, that the choice of a President should have fallen upon 

 one whose constant occupation with special branches of science has fitted 

 him very inadequately for the distinguished position to which he has been 

 called. I can only derive comfort from knowing that, wherever it may 

 bo necessary, there are many others present most able to supply what may 



