Transactions: 75 
to play in the future ; that it has a mission to perform. Science 
is coming more and more to the front every day. Not long ago 
it was a sort of Cinderella in the household of learning, a despised 
drudge, looked down upon by its haughty sisters, Literature and 
Philosophy. But recently science has possessed herself of her 
little glass slipper, and she has risen to honour. (Cheers.) And 
I take it that science will daily increase its dominion over us } 
that it will minister more and more, in ways that can scarcely 
yet be surmised, to the comfort, well-being, and convenience of 
our daily lives. (Cheers.) Only on Friday last I saw handed 
round, at a meeting in London, bickers full of a pale blue fluid 
bubbling furiously ;. and that fluid was composed of the 
atmosphere we breathe, which had been condensed and liquified. 
I saw plunged into that fluid bunches of flowers, feathers, and 
other substances; and when withdrawn they were emitting 
light. They brilliantly illuminated the room by their 
phosphorescence. I was privileged there to see the demonstration 
of the latest discovery of science. The discovery was made by a 
typical Scotsman, Professor Dewar, and carried through in the 
laboratory of the Royal Institution. But, it may be asked, 
what is the good of this liquid air? And it must be admitted 
that we don’t at present recognise its utility. But had the same 
question been asked about electricity when it was first discovered, 
or about liquid carbonic acid a few years ago, an answer exactly 
the same must have been returned. We must have a deep and 
earnest faith that all knowledge is power ; that every scientific 
discovery, no matter how minute or trivial—whether made in 
the laboratory of the Royal Institution in London or by a 
member of this Society—will be woven into the warp and woof of 
scientific knowledge and have its important place. As science is 
advancing very much, it seems to me more and more important 
that all educated men and women should possess a knowledge of 
it—should acquaint themselves with the scientific method and 
have a knowledge of some branch of science. Therefore it seems 
to me important that thoughtful and educated people, who do 
not live in university towns or in great cities, where opportunities 
for study abound, should have opportunities for scientific study 
and intercourse for increasing their knowledge of advancing 
science ; facilities which are to some extent provided by the 
society, under whose auspices we are met. this evening. I do 
believe that in the future this Dumfries Society will greatly 
