20 REPORT— 1897. 



Others will direct our thoughts in other directions, but the farther we 

 proceed the more clearly shall we realise the connection and inter- 

 dependence of all departments of science. Year after year, as meetings 

 of this Association take place, we may also foresee that ' many shall run 

 to and fro and knowledge shall be increased.' Year after year advances 

 will be made in science, and in reading that Book of Nature that lies ever 

 open before our eyes ; successive stones will be brought for building up 

 that Temple of Knowledge of which our fathers and we have laboured 

 to lay the foundations. May we not well exclaim with old Robert 

 Recorde ? — 



' Oh woorthy temple of Goddes magnificence : Oh throne of glorye and 

 seate of the lorde : thy substance most pure what tonge can describe 1 

 thy signes are so wonderous, surmountinge mannes witte, the effects of 

 thy motions so diuers in kinde : so harde for to searche, and worse for to 

 fynde — Thy woorkes are all wonderous, thy cunning unknowen : yet 

 seedes of all knowledge in that booke are sowen — And yet in that boke 

 who rightly can reade, to all secrete knowledge it will him straights 

 reade ' ' 



' Preface to Robert Recorde's Castle of KnoKledge, 15o(>. 



I 



