42] 
follow the indications that seem to favour them, requires to learn a lesson 
from the natural philosopher, trained in the austere school of patient 
induction. The man of science may be less willing to admit the pos- 
sibility of deriving instruction from the antiquary or the man of letters. 
And yet even he will find himself at times dependent upon them for 
help, and always the better, as he partakes more of their intellectual 
culture. Eliminate the literary constituents from the minds of Newton 
and Leibnitz, Herschel, Whewell, and Humboldt, and you will not 
leave the elements of their scientific power unimpaired. It is because 
the lines of truth meet and cross one another in every direction, that 
human sagacity possesses its wondrous power in unravelling the mys- 
teries of science, history, and language. Who that remembers what it 
has accomplished in our lifetime will set limits to its achievements ? 
And who could calculate the rapidity of its progress, when a more per- 
fect communication is established between those who are conducting in- 
quiries of different kinds? To know what others have done, or have 
failed to do, might just complete the chain of our own experiments and 
reasoning. 
We have heard some complaints within the last few years of occa- 
sional irregularity in the supply of papers at our meetings. Under any 
circumstance this might be expected. Intellectual labours cannot be 
carried on with the uniformity of mechanical work. But I think that 
the fact to which I have referred is not by any means attributable to a 
falling off in intellectual activity amongst ourselves, or to a general dis- 
inclination on our part to submit to the Academy the results of literary 
and scientific investigation. It is owing, I am persuaded, to the esta- 
blishment in Dublin of a number of separate societies intended to promote 
the cultivation of distinct branches of science. Their operation sufii- 
ciently accounts for a diminished supply of papers in some departments 
of the Academy. Members are unwilling to lay before us in this room 
papers neither announcing considerable advances in science nor discuss- 
ing questions of difficulty. On the other hand, they do not hesitate to 
present fragmentary communications to societies having specific objects, 
where their value is more immediately recognised. I, therefore, look 
‘without apprehension upon this withdrawal of papers from the Academy. 
It will, I hope, continue to be the place where remarkable discoveries 
will be announced, and where philosophers will unfold their mature views 
of classification and method. Let us also take comfort from the reflec- 
tion, that in matters of this kind there are fluctuations almost resembling 
those of fashion. Personal and temporary influences affect the mani- 
festations of intellect. If we observe a stagnation in one section of the 
Academy, we have good reason to look forward to healthy reaction. 
The constitution of the Academy is sound; instead of blaming it, let us 
endeavour to increase its resources, and to stimulate its energies. 
We have no right to count upon seeing the annals of the Academy 
marked, during the coming lustrum, by the appearance of such works 
as have in former times awakened the wholesome pride with which we 
greet the triumphs of our fellow-Academicians. Such papers as “ Ha- 
