4 THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, 



thorough investigation of the flora of the coastlands of Australia, made 

 during the voyage on which he accompanied Flinders in 1810-14 ; an early 

 example of what may be termed imperial research. Dalton's name is 

 identified for ever with the atomic theory, and he placed meteorology on a 

 scientific footing. Faraday's labours provide one of the most wonderful 

 examples of scientific research leading to enormous industrial development. 

 Upon his discovery of benzene and its structure the great chemical indus- 

 tries of to-day are largely based, including, in particular, the dyeing 

 industries. Still wider applications have followed upon his discovery of the 

 Jaws of electrolysis and of the mechanical generation of electricity. It 

 has been said, and with reason, that the two million workers in this country 

 alone who are dependent upon electrical industries are living on the brain 

 of Faraday ; but to his discoveries in the first instance many millions more 

 owe the uses of electricity in lighting, traction, communication, and in- 

 dustrial power. Oxford, then, was not dishonoured in the hodge-podge 

 of philosophers whom she recognised in 1832. Nor will she recall with any 

 disfavour the singularly doubtful compliment paid her on that occasion 

 by another distinguished visitor, in whose mind the opposition must have 

 rankled ; the University, he said, had prolonged her existence for a hundred 

 years by the kind reception he and his fellows had received. The Associa- 

 tion will scarcely make that claim to-day. But its visiting members will 

 have ample opportunity to learn how, through her museums and labora- 

 tories, Oxford, within the hundred years thus tolerantly allotted to her, 

 has kept pace with the scientific development of the period. It need surely 

 be no matter for regret if Science has worked for and is taking a place, 

 not only in the university but in the schools, complementary with that 

 occupied by the humanities. For complementary these two branches of 

 learning must ultimately be. All the greatest exponents of scientific 

 learning have been men of attainment also in letters. 



The services rendered to mankind by the labours of outstanding figures 

 in Science, such as Faradaj^, or Kelvin, or Pasteur, or Lister, are matters 

 of too common knowledge to need insisting upon in this place. What is 

 perhaps less generally appreciated is the extent to which, through the 

 efforts of very numerous workers, the results of scientific research have been 

 brought to bear upon many of the most pressing domestic and industrial 

 problems of the day, and that the co-operation between the laboratory 

 and the State (which means the community) has been greatly strengthened 

 of recent years. The British Association has always supported such co- 

 operation. One of its principal aims, as stated by its founders and main- 



