24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



ality, and our interest in their writings and in their work will be 

 keener and more vivid. 



To the student of science the value of this personal intercourse 

 with those who have done and are doing great and lasting work is 

 incalculable. It rouses his enthusiasm. It stimulates his ambition. 

 It stirs his flagging energies, and wakes in his breast the aspiration 

 to share with them, even if only in an humble way, the glorious 

 work of searching out the truths of nature and thinking out the 

 thoughts of God. It lifts him out of himself and the little circle of 

 his own interests and cares and makes him feel himself a citizen of 

 the great Commonwealth of Science — a soldier of the great army of 

 workers whose aim is the discovery of truth. 



The pi'oject of holding a meeting of the British Association in 

 Canada was a bold one ; and there were not wanting prophets of 

 evil who, when it was first set on foot, were ready to throw cold 

 water on it, and call it inadvisable if not impracticable. The length 

 of time taken in going and returning, the discomforts of a long sea 

 voyage, and the expense, would, it was said, prevent all but a few 

 daring enthusiasts from taking part in it. It was feared also that 

 the number of those in Canada who took enough interest in science 

 to assist at the meetings would be small, and that only failure and 

 disappointment would result from the attempt. Even if tempted by 

 the inducement of a cheap excursion any considerable number of 

 people could be induced to make the voyage, those whose presence 

 would be most desirable on such an occasion would be absent, and 

 if quantity was forthcoming quality would most certainly be inferior. 



It is gratifying to know, as we do now, that these predictions 

 were entirely groundless. In every respect the Montreal meeting of 

 the British Association was a most successful one. The numbers 

 attending the meetmg were beyond all expectation ; and these were 

 not mere holiday seekers, but those really interested in the objects of 

 the Association. The number of old annual and life members who 

 attended the Montreal meetings was above the average. 



The interest of the meetings of sections was also all that could be 

 desired. The papers read, both as to number and character, were 

 decidedly above the average, and the interest shown by the Canadian 

 public was most satisfactory. In eveiy respect those who planned 

 and carried out the undertaking on both sides of the Atlantic have 

 every reason to congratulate themselves upon the success that has 



