XXxiv REPORT — 1841. 



Knowledge is power ; but for us, it is to be dealt with as the power of inter- 

 preting nature and using her forces ; not as the power of exciting the feel- 

 ings of mankind, and providing remedies for social evils, on matters where 

 the wisest men have doubted and differed. 



Being the person whose voice is first raised in addressing the meeting of 

 the Association, I have thought that it was a part of my duty to use the 

 opportunity in calling to our minds the fundamental character and principles 

 of our institution. There are other subjects which our constitution directs 

 us to avoid ; but none perhaps in Avhich there is much danger or need of 

 warning. We are in no great risk of deviating into literary, or metaphysical, 

 or theological discussions. Sound metaphysics and literary culture will of 

 course show themselves in the addresses of those who possess such accom- 

 plishments, but are no direct objects of our attention. And in like manner, 

 though we cannot dream of the slightest approach to the discussion of 

 religious questions, heartfelt and real piety may be apparent even in the 

 sentiments uttered at an association for the advancement of science. I am 

 sure that many of you who attended the former meetings of this Association, 

 must recollect occasions on which men's minds being excited, and yet solem- 

 nized, by the aspect of the assembled multitudes, and by the lofty views of 

 nature which our philosophers had to present to them, the thoughtful and 

 eloquent men who had to address you were carried by a spontaneous impulse, 

 without plan or premeditation, into elevated strains of religious reflection ; 

 showing that those who take the lead in our meetings have their minds so 

 tuned, that every voice which proclaims the wonders of nature, turns their 

 thoughts to the Author of nature ; that every new gleam of truth seems to 

 them an effluence from the eternal fountain of truth. Long may such habits 

 of thought prevail among the philosophers of this land ; and then we need 

 not fear but that knowledge, hallowed and elevated by the spirit in which it 

 is pursued, will be every way a blessing to man, — to his soul as well as to his 

 body — to his spiritual as well as to his intellectual being. 



To those of us who, knowing the institution by our attendance upon it, 

 and our share in its labours, think thus of its value and its spirit, every new 

 annual occasion of our coming together must be an occasion of fresh grati- 

 fication, an agreeable exercise of memory and of hope. In our present 

 meeting at this place, there are many circumstances to give additional ani- 

 mation to our anticipations of pleasure. We come to a part of the empire 

 hitherto unvisited by many of us, to a great maritime town, replete with 

 objects of instruction, art, and interest. We know the love of science and 

 the familiarity with its treasures which here prevail, for we are acquainted 

 with the high character, the knowledge, zeal, and ability of the authorities of 

 the Dockyard — the intelligence and activity of the Plymouth Institution, — 

 we know and feel most gratefully, the kind and vigilant care with which pre- 

 parations have been made for our reception ; and we now see in this assem- 

 bly, the look of cordial welcome and lively anticipation, of which I would 

 say more, but that I would beg to leave the subject in abler hands. We hail 

 with joy and confidence the opening of the Plymouth Meeting of the British 

 Association. 



Perhaps you will allow me the gratification of saying a word respecting 

 special personal reasons of my own, which make it a matter of pleasure to 

 me to find myself here on this occasion. Besides that it brings me to the 

 society of several valued and cherished friends, whose home is in this part of 

 England, I have various ties of a scientific nature with this place and this 

 region. The excellent observations of the tides made in this harbour, have 

 been the subject of calculations involving considerable labours, which I have 



