xl President's Address 



The preparations for the forthcoming Philadelphia 

 Exhibition demand also a word of comment. Since that 

 of 1851, these International displays have continued in an 

 unbroken chain, and the interest which the first created is 

 still transmitted through the series with all the original 

 vigour. Nations which we have been taught to regard as 

 existing on the boundary line of the modern civilization, 

 are now drawn well into the current of this eager race : 

 the system indeed has become a permanent machinery of 

 education, not alone to the young, but to the peoples as a 

 whole, in all which concerns their material prosperity and 

 the arts of life. 



As our time is limited, I feel that I must not tax your 

 patience by further examples ; I wish, however, in 

 conclusion, to make very briefly one or two observations, 

 to draw a moral, if I may so speak, from what has been 

 already uttered. The value of scientific research is now 

 too well recognised to need comment ; examples of the 

 practical application of its results are of daily occurrence, 

 and everywhere at hand. There is no want of recognition 

 of this patent fact at the present day ; nor is there want 

 of appreciation of the expanse of the field still open to 

 inquiry^ and still promising great rewards. The want of 

 to-day is of a different kind, referring rather to the 

 organization of the labour, than to the recognition of its 

 value. Much of the work inviting immediate attention is 

 of dimensions too large for individual effort, requiring, not 

 the untiring zeal of a single philosopher, but rather a staff 

 of trained scientific workmen for its performance. Often 

 of national significance in its applications, it becomes, 

 therefore, of national importance that it should be planted 

 and tended by the nation even to fruition. And this does 

 not apply solely to maritime affairs, or to gigantic 

 experiments in gunnery, but equally to investigations 



