ADDRESS. 



lxix 



Science in a manner which made it. more difficult for them to refuse than to 

 grant what he requested. All lovers of science deeply mourn for the loss of 

 such a man. Gentlemen, it is a singular coincidence, that this very day on 

 which we are here assembled, and are thus giving expression to our admira- 

 tion of him, should be the anniversary of his birth. 



To return to ourselves, however : one part of the functions of the Associa- 

 tion can receive no personal representation, no incarnation : I mean the very 

 fact of meetings like that which we are at present inaugurating. This is not 

 the thoughtful direction of one mind over acquired knowledge, but the pro- 

 duction of new thought by the contact of many minds, as the spark is pro- 

 duced by the friction of flint and steel ; it is not the action of the monarchy 

 of a paternal Government, but the republican activity of the Roman Forum. 

 These meetings draw forth the philosopher from the hidden recesses of his 

 study, call in the wanderer over the field of science to meet his brethren, to 

 lay before them the results of his labours, to set forth the deductions at which 

 he has arrived, to ask for their examination, to maintain in the combat of 

 debate the truth of his positions and the accuracy of his observations. These 

 Meetings, unlike those of any other Society, throw open the arena to the cul- 

 tivators of all sciences, to their mutual advantage : the Geologist learns from 

 the Chemist that there are problems for which he had no clue, but which 

 that science can solve for him ; the Geographer receives light from the Natu- 

 ralist, the Astronomer from the Physicist anil Engineer, and so on. And all 

 find a field upon which to meet the public at large, invite them to listen to 

 their Reports and even to take part in their discussions, — show to them that 

 Philosophers are not vain theorists, but essentially men of practice — not con- 

 ceited pedants, wrapped up in their own mysterious importance, but humble 

 inquirers after truth, proud only of what they may have achieved or won for 

 the general use of man. Neither are they daring and presumptuous unbe- 

 lievers — a character which ignorance has sometimes affixed to them — who 

 would, like the Titans, storm heaven by placing mountain upon mountain, 

 till hurled down from the height attained, by the terrible thunders of outraged 

 Jove; but rather the pious pilgrims to the Holy Land, who toil on in search 

 of the sacred shrine, in search of truth— God's truth — God's laws as mani- 

 fested in His works, in His creation. 



