Proceedings of the British Association. 91 



ligible, but that its whole proposed extent shall be seen — or at least 

 if they cannot be, that it should be clearly stated to be the possible 

 commencement of something more extensive — and besides, that the 

 printing and publication of results should, in every such case, be 

 made an express part of the recommendation. And, again, we must 

 not forget that our interest in the matter does not cease with such 

 publication. It becomes our duty to forward, by every encourage- 

 ment in our power, the due consideration and scientific discussion of 

 results so procured — to urge it upon the science of our own country 

 and of Europe, and to aid from our own resources those who may be 

 willing to charge themselves with their analysis, and to direct or 

 execute the numerical computations or graphical projections it may 

 involve. This is actually the predicament in which we stand, in 

 reference to the immense mass of data already accumulated by the 

 magnetic and meteorological observatories. Let the science of Eng- 

 land, and especially the rising and vigorous mind which is pressing 

 onward to distinction, gird itself to the work of grappling with 

 this mass. Let it not be said that we are always to look abroad 

 whenever industry and genius are required to act in union for the 

 discussion of great masses of raw observation. Let us take example 

 from what we see going on in Germany, where a Dove, a Kamtz and 

 a Mahlmann are battling with the meteorology ; a Gauss, a Weber 

 and an Ermann with the magnetism of the world. The mind of 

 Britain is equal to the task — its mathematical strength, developed of 

 late years to an unprecedented extent, is competent to any theoreti- 

 cal analysis or technical combination. Nothing is wanting but the 

 resolute and persevering devotion of undistracted thought to a single 

 object, and that will not be long wanting, when once the want is 

 declared and dwelt upon, and the high prize of public estimation held 

 forth to those who fairly and freely adventure themselves in this 

 career. Never was there a time when the mind of the country, as 

 well as its resources of every kind, answered so fully and readily to 

 any call reasonable in itself and properly urged upon it. Do we call 

 for facts ? they are poured upon us in such profusion as for a time 

 to overwhelm us, like the Roman maid who sank under the load of 

 wealth she called down upon herself. Witness the piles of unre- 

 duced meteorological observations which load our shelves and archives; 



