1874.] Presidenfs Address. 55 



Incliaj such a vast number of European troops, one of whose difficulties is, 

 want of occupation, surely there \vill be found men in sufficient quantities 

 fit and willing for the work. 



If you look back through our records, you will find that whenever 

 suggestions have emanated from this Society, the Government of India 

 have always given that attention they deserve, and have always cordially ac- 

 cepted any practical scheme. 



All scientific men throughout the world have pointed to India as the 

 fittest field for Meteorological observations, and tiiey all agree that India can 

 do more towards solving Meteorological problems than can any other country. 

 With this before us, and with the knowledge that the Government spends 

 sufficient money, which if only properly directed, would do much of what is 

 requii'ed, it is a reflection on us, that this great Empire has done so little^ 

 and I think it is the duty of the Society to move in the matter. 



In 1869, this Society took up the question of teaching Physical Science 

 to the people of this country. At the close of the previous year, our Piesi- 

 dent. Dr. Fayrer, brought to yom* notice the serious discouragement that 

 the study of Physical Science had met with in this country and Dr. Oldham 

 on succeeding to the chair followed up the question. The Council addressed 

 His Excellency the Governor General as Patron of our Society and as Chan- 

 cellor of the University, and urged the addition of an elementary knowledge 

 of Natural and Physical Science to the course required from every candidate 

 for matriculation in the University of Calcutta. The teaching of Physical 

 Science has always been considered by this Society as of the utmost 

 importance. It must then be to us a subject of congratulation that His 

 Honor the Lieut.-Governor of Bengal has this year taken the practical step 

 of teaching what must be held to be the most necessary branch by appointing 

 a professor of Chemistry at the Presidency College. 



Mr. Pedler is the first professional chemist that has been appointed to 

 teach this all important science in Bengal, and a laboratory is being erected 

 by the order of the Lieut.-Governor, in which it will for the first time be 

 possible to teach practical chemistry. With this before us, and seeing the 

 practical turn that the Government of Bengal has of late given to educa- 

 tion, there is some hope that we are tending towards educating the people more 

 thoroughly, and that we have taken the first step towards leading them, as 

 Dr. Fayrer rightly said, from lowest to highest truths, by instructing them 

 in the subjects included under the comprehensive term ' Physical Science' 

 and by imbuing them with a comprehension of those general laws by which 

 all physical phenomena are regulated. 



Gentlemen, there is much to be said on these subjects, but time w^ill not 

 permit more. I fear I have already trespassed too much on your patience, 

 and I must leave what I leave to say to some other opportunity. 



