m 



large, and published to the world, at least to the learned world, in 

 the name and by the order of the whole: — the responsibility for any 

 errors of detail, and the credit for any merit of originality, remain- 

 ing still in each case with the author, while the Academy exercises 

 only a right of preliminary or prima facie examination, and a su- 

 perintendence of a general kind. Nay, the more rigorous this pre- 

 liminary examination is, and the more strict this general superin- 

 tendence, the greater is the compliment paid to the writer whose 

 productions stand the test; and the more honourable does it become 

 to any particular essay, to be admitted among the memoirs of a 

 Society, in proportion as those memoirs are made more select, and 

 expected and required to be more high. But besides this honorary 

 stimulus, which we should all in our several spheres exert ourselves 

 to make more effective, by each endeavouring, according to his 

 powers, to contribute, or to judge, or to diffuse, there is also a 

 powerful and direct assistance given to study, by the publishing of 

 profound intellectual works at the expense of a corporate body, 

 rather than at the expense of individuals ; a course which spares 

 the private funds of authors and of readers ; and thus procures, for 

 the collections of learned and studious men, many works of value, 

 which otherwise might never have appeared. Indeed, the publica- 

 tion of Transactions has long been regarded by me as the most di- 

 rect and palpable advantage resulting frofn the institution of scien- 

 tific and literary societies like our own ; and, I believe, that I ex- 

 pressed myself accordingly, on the occasion* to which I lately 

 alluded. But having then to deal with science only, I felt that it 

 was unnecessary, and would have been improper for me to have 

 introduced any view of the connexion and contrast between science 

 and other studies, which are, not less than science, included among 

 the objects of this Academy, and may therefore be fitly, if briefly, 

 brought now before your notice. The union of all studies is in- 

 deed that at which we aim ; but the three great departments, which 

 our founders distinguished without dividing, may now also with 

 advantage be distinctly considered, and separated, that they may 

 may be re-combined ; a clearness of conception being likely to be 

 thus attained, without any sacrifice of unity. 



* See Address, already cited, p. xlvi. — Note by President. 



