134 Proceedings of the British Association. 



discussions, although they are of immense importance, but I speak 

 now of the primary object of this Association, which is the further- 

 ance of physical science, on the principles pointed out. On this 

 ground I hold it certain, that the discussion of broad theoretical 

 questions and cosmogonies, like those now brought before us, is 

 utterly unfit for the present meeting. If this practice be once allowed, 

 any man will be at liberty to overhaul the pages of a volume like 

 Dr. Buckland's ' Bridgewater Treatise/ pregnant with most impor- 

 tant truths, and, without any personal knowledge of the subject, or 

 a single new fact to offer, he may raise objections to which it would 

 be impossible to give an adequate reply because they are drawn from 

 considerations out of the province of facts and observation. To 

 describe all the conditions which the earth has undergone from the 

 primeval days of chaos to the present time, were indeed impossible ; 

 and the liability to misrepresentation ought to deter any man from 

 attempting it, did he even suppose he had the means of doing so. 

 Besides, this is not our object, which I again assert to be the 

 examination of facts, either to modify our theories and generaliza- 

 tions, if we have gone too far, or bring into harmonious order our 

 new facts, by some new and noble generalization. We have nothing 

 to do, as members of the Association, with moral or religious or 

 political truths, in which the elements of human passion are so liable 

 to be mingled. Every one who brings a statement of facts to this 

 meeting, asserts his willingness to abide the test of observation and 

 experiments; and when a paper is brought here which deals not 

 with facts, but with theories and cosmogonies, we should reject it 

 altogether, as in its nature unfit for our notice. Its discussion is 

 permitted] now (but will, I trust, never be permitted again) out of 

 regard to certain opinions and feelings, in which we participate 

 with the Dean of York, and which not one of us would resign but 

 with life itself. At the same time, we are willing to show, on all 

 proper occasions (though this be a very improper one), that we are 

 not afraid of facing any of the difficulties with which the speculative 

 part of our subject may be surrounded." — So far our reporter endea- 

 voured to follow the remarks of Prof. Sedgwick in the order and 

 words in which they were spoken. The remaining portion of our 

 report must be considered as a short and imperfect abstract of 



