Scientific Gleanings. 469 



of the Athenaeum, or in the annual volume of the Society's Pro- 

 ceedings. It may, however, be interesting to general readers to 

 have an opportunity of perusing the addresses of the Chairmen 

 of the various sections. These are of a highly interesting and 

 instructive kind. In a few words they indicate the progress of 

 the past year, and the chief points to which enquiry should be 

 directed for the future. The gentlemen selected to fill the honor- 

 able position of Chairmen of sections are all celebrated in their 

 special departments ; words from their lips may, therefore, be 

 regarded as the last oracles from the priests of nature. Having 

 surveyed the field from its highest elevations they speak with 

 authority as to its character and prospects. 



MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SECTION. 



President — Rev. Dr. Whbwell. 



The President, on taking the chair, addressed the Section : — 

 The managers of the Association have assigned a small room to 

 this Section. I hope that no one is at present inconvenienced by 

 this. I shall be glad if it should be found that in this respect the 

 managers have been mistaken. But the fact is, that we are very 

 much in the habit in. this Section of treating our subjects in so 

 sublime a manner that we thin the room very decidedly. This is 

 true, but this is no fault of ours. We seek -the laws of Nature, 

 and Nature presents to us her laws in a form which is to many 

 persons repulsive, — namely, a mathematical form. It has been 

 truly said, both by sacred and profane writers, that all things are 

 made by number, weight, and measure. Now things which hap- 

 pen by number, weight, and measure, happen according to mathe- 

 matical laws, according to the relations of number and space. 

 According to such relations the laws of various of the appearances 

 which Nature presents to us were studied at the earliest periods 

 of the intellectual progress of man ; and if the laws detected by 

 man on such subjects are in some respects perplexing to many 

 from their mathematical form and complexity, and are thus repul- 

 sive, they are at least attractive in another point of view, — for the 

 extent and brilliancy of the success which has been obtained in 

 these fields of speculation are such as could not have been in any 

 degree anticipated at an early period. And the truths obtained 

 in this way at an early period of man's intellectual progress are 

 even still of great value and interest, and are essential parts of the 

 body of scientific truth at the present time. The astronomy of the 



