72 SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY NOTES. 
Government, but furnishes it at once with well-matured plans how to supply them 
with the greatest certainty and to the greatest public advantage. 
We may be justified in hoping, however, that by the gradual diffusion of 
seience, and its increasing recognition as a principal part of our national education, 
the public in general, no less than the Legislature and the State, will more and 
more recognise the claims of science to their attention; so that it may no longer 
require the begging-box, but speak to the State, like a favoured child toits parent. 
sure of his parental solicitude for its welfare; that the State will recognise in 
science one of its elements of strength and prosperity, to foster which the clearest 
dietates of self-interest demand. 
If the activity of this Association, such as I have endeavoured to describe it, 
ever found or could find its personification in one individual—its incarnation, as it 
were—this had been found in that distinguished and revered philosopher who has 
been removed from amongst us, in his ninetieth year, within these last few months. 
Alexander von Humboldt incessantly strove after dominion over that universality 
of human knowledge which stands in need of thoughtful government and diree- 
tion to preserve its integrity ; he strove to tie up the fasces of scientific know- 
ledge. to give them strength in unity. He treated all scientific men as members 
of one family, enthusiastically directing, fostering, and encouraging inquiry, where 
he saw either the want of, or the willingness for, it. His protection of the young 
and ardent student led many to success in their pursuit. His personal influence 
with the Courts and Governments of most countries in Europe, enabled him to: 
plead the cause of 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, if is a singular coincidence, that this very day 
on which we are here assembled, and are thus giving expression to our admiration 
of him, should be the anniversary of his birth. 
To return to ourselves, however. One part of the functions’ of the Association 
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 thoughts 
ful direction of one mind over acquired knowledge, but the production of new 
thought by the contact of many minds, as the spark is produced by the friction of 
flint and steel ; it is not the action of the monarchy or 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 position and the accuracy of 
his observations. These meetings, unlike those of any other society, throw open. 
the arena to the cultivators 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 Naturalist, the Astronomer from the Physicist and Engineer, and 
soon. 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 in- 
