976 REPORT— 1898. 



Section G.— MECHANICAL SCIENCE. 

 President of the Section. — Sir John Wolfe-Barry, K.C.B., F.R.S. 



THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8. 



The President delivered the following Address : — 



I WISH at the commencement of the proceedings this morning to refer to the loss 

 ■which the world of science has sustained in the untimely and lamentable death ol 

 my friend, Dr. John Hopkinson. This tragedy was one of a most unusual kind, 

 and I think I am not saying too much if I say it has touclied the hearts of every- 

 body in Great Britain. When we recognise that the father, son, and two daughters 

 were suddenly swept into eternity by this dreadful accident, I am sure that our 

 hearts go out in respectful sympathy and heartfelt condolence to Mrs. Hopkinson 

 and the remainder of Dr. Hopkinson's family. To us in the scientific world the 

 loss is certainly irreparable. Dr. John Hopkinson was a man of most unusual 

 attainments. He was Senior Wrangler at the University of Cambridge, and Smith's 

 Prizeman, and he had the highest gifts not only of intellectual power, but they 

 were combined with great practical knowledge, and at the time of his death with 

 most ripe experience. He was admired throughout the whole of his own country 

 and the whole of the scientific world of Great Britain. But I think I am not 

 going too far when I say he was an ornament to the world of science, wliether it 

 be European or American, and that his name was respected in every part where 

 men of science are qualified to form an opinion upon an individual's merits. I can 

 speak of my departed friend with perhaps stronger feelings. I have come under 

 the magic of his personal charm ; I have laeeii able to realise his charming modesty, 

 combined with his great attainments and his manj' social gifts. He was a member 

 of the Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers, on which I had the honour of 

 serving with him for many years, and he was a member also of the Council of the 

 British Association. He was a personal friend of many of those who hear me, 

 and I am sure they will agree that I have not said a word too much in bringing 

 before this section the great loss which has been^sustained by the death of .John 

 Hopkinson. I am sure I shall have my own sentiments endorsed when I ofi'er this 

 small tribute of affectionate admiration to a man of science who has been one of 

 the brightest ornaments of the century. 



Apart from all the other considerations which so favourably affect this Congress, 

 I think, so far as Section G is concerned, that we are fortunate in meeting in this 

 ancient city, which has so much of special interest for engineers and for others 

 interested in applied science. 



(I.) I propose, therefore, to say a few introductory words about Bristol and its 

 neighbourhood from the point of view of this section of the Association, but it is far 



