6 THE PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



vestigated. Ambition is eager to acquire laurels in some new field, to 

 startle the world by some dazzling discovery. This is exemplified in 

 every day experience by the sanguine acquirers of patent rights. 

 Some small discovery, mechanical or otherwise is made, and the ex- 

 cited owner rushes to register his invention, and specifies its ability to 

 produce new and startling results long sought for, never till now 

 attained. 



Too often the waxen wings on which the discovery is launched, 

 melt away before the sun-light of experience or practical application. 



I once heard the great geologist whose portrait adorns our walls, 

 asked for his opinion as to certain appearances noticed by him. The 

 simple force of his reply is worthy of note : — " I have been too busy 

 for the past few years in searching for facts to form any theory." It 

 might be well for many who pursue the like studies to imitate such 

 wise reticence. 



IjQt facts be sought after with keenest industry, let phenomena be 

 noted, observations registered, calculations verified, notes compared. 

 Let truth and truth alone be sought after, and let theories for a 

 while be left to themselves. Each scientific explorer has to remember 

 what is the essential condition of his pursuit. It is no . to prove or 

 to disprove any scheme of cosmogony — not to aid or to falsify revela- 

 tion, but simply to seek for facts. 



Compared with what remains totally unexplored, the limits which 

 discovery has mapped out for our information are singularly con- 

 tracted. The pen of Brewster has pointed out with great felicity the 

 little that has been done, compared with the vast wonders yet veiled 

 in the unvisited realms of discovery. 



" The dry land upon our globe occupies only one-fourth of its 

 superficies. How much of this fourth part have geologists been able to 

 examine, and how small seems to be the area of stratification that has 

 been explored ? We venture to say, not one fiftieth part of the whole, 

 anl yet upon the results of so partial a survey there has been founded 

 a startling generalization. * * The astronomers of the present day 

 have penetrated far into the celestial depths, compared with those of 

 the preceding age, descrying in the remotest space glorious creations, 

 and establishing mighty laws. Like them may not geologists descend 

 deeper into the abyss beneath, and discover in caverns yet unexplored 

 the upheaved cemeteries of primordial times. The earth has yet to 

 surrender its stronghold of gigantic secrets, and startling revelations 



