ADDRESS 
BY 
RICHARD OWEN, M.D., V.P.R.S., D.C.L., F.L.S. Erc., 
SurrrmntenDENT OF THE NATURAL History Departments, Britisn Musrum. 
. GENTLEMEN OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION, 
We are here met, in this our 28th annual assembly, having accepted, for 
the present year, the invitation of the flourishing town and firm seat of 
British manufacturing energy, Leeds, to continue the aim of the Associa- 
tion, which is the promotion of Science, or the Knowledge of the Laws of 
Nature; whereby we acquire a dominion over Nature, and are able so to 
apply her powers as to advance the well-being of society and exalt the con- 
dition of mankind. It is no light matter, therefore, the work that we are 
here assembled to do. 
God has given to man a capacity to discover and comprehend the laws by 
which His universe is governed; and man is impelled by a healthy and 
natural impulse to exercise the faculties by which that knowledge can be 
acquired. Agreeably with the relations which have been instituted between 
our finite faculties and the phenomena that affect them, we thus arrive at 
demonstrations and convictions which are the most certain that our present 
state of being can have or act upon. 
Nor let any one, against whose prepossessions a scientific truth may jar, 
confound such demonstrations with the speculative philosophies condemned 
by the Apostle; or ascribe to arrogant intellect soaring to regions of 
forbidden mysteries the acquisition of such truths as have been or may 
be established by patient and inductive research. For the most part, the 
discoverer has been so placed by circumstances, rather than by pre- 
determined selection, as to have his work of investigation allotted to 
him as his daily duty; in the fulfilment of which he is brought face to 
face with phenomena into which he must inquire, and the result of that 
inquiry he must faithfully impart. The course of natural as of moral 
truth is progressive: but it has pleased the Author of all truth to vary the 
fashion of the imparting of such parcels thereof as He has allotted from time 
to time, for the behoof and guidance of mankind. 
Those who are privileged with the faculties of discovery are, therefore, to 
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