Proceedings of the British Association. 89 



so that when the subject comes to be referred to them, as it must be, 

 if the opinion of the conference should be favourable to the continu- 

 ance of the system, they may be fully prepared to make up their 

 minds on it. 



I will not say one word from this chair which can have the ap- 

 pearance of in any way anticipating the conclusion which the con- 

 ference thus organized may come to, or the course to be adopted 

 in consequence. But I will take this opportunity of stating my ideas 

 generally on the position to be assumed by this association and 

 by other scientific bodies in making demands on the national purse 

 for scientific purposes. And I will also state, quite irrespective of 

 the immediate question of magnetic co-operation, and therefore of the 

 fate of this particular measure, what I conceive to be the objects 

 which might be accomplished, and ought to be aimed at in the 

 establishment, Physical Observatories, as part of the integrant insti- 

 tutions of each nation calling itself civilized, and as its contribution to 

 terrestrial physics. 



It is the pride and boast of an Englishman to pay his taxes cheer- 

 fully when he feels assured of their application to great and worthy 

 objects. And as civilization advances, we feel constantly more and 

 more strongly, that, after the great objects of national defence, the 

 stability of our institutions, the due administration of justice, and the 

 healthy maintenance of our social state, are provided for, there is 

 no object greater and more noble — none more worthy of national 

 effort, than the furtherance of science. Indeed, there is no surer 

 test of the civilization of an age or nation, than the degree in which 

 this conviction is felt. Among Englishmen it has been for a long 

 time steadily increasing, and may now be regarded as universal among 

 educated men of all classes. No government, and least of all a British 

 government, can be insensible to the general prevalence of a sentiment 

 of this kind ; and it is our good fortune, and has been so for several 

 years, to have a government, no matter what its denomination as 

 respects society, impressible with such considerations, and really de- 

 sirous to aid the forward struggle of intellect, by placing at its disposal 

 the material means of its advances. 



But to do so with effect, it is necessary to be thoroughly well inform- 

 ed. The mere knowledge that such a disposition exists, is sufficient to 



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