14 



land you in controversies, because you will often have to sweep aside 

 popular mistakes, and show that golden idols have feet of clay. I 

 have had my share of controversy. I have hit hard and straight, 

 but I hope always above the belt. I am not ashamed to have done 

 it, for I believe that inaccurate observations and unsound inductions 

 are a curse, not a boon to science. They cumber the ground ; and 

 error, like all bad things, manifests an astonishing vitality. Truth, 

 it seems to me, is a sacred thing, whether in science, in politics, or 

 in religion, worth fighting for, worth self-denial, worth suffering 

 for, if need be. 



But I will weary you no longer. It remains only to thank you 

 all, those especially who have been active in organising this presenta- 

 tion from the beginning to this day. I have been a secretary myself 

 and know how much time and trouble such work costs. But I thank 

 you all for this unexpected token of your affection. It was ex- 

 ceptionally welcome, for it came at a time when I had lost heart in 

 my work, and I was sad from other causes. This portrait will be a 

 perpetual remembrance of to-day and of the proudest hour of my life. 

 It will encourage me to do my best for the time that remains. 

 This cannot be long. I have begun within the last year or two to 

 feel ''■ non sum cpialis eramy In a very few years indeed I must 

 cease from teaching ; in a very few more, if not even then, from all 

 scientific work. But though the shadows are lengthening, it cheers 

 me to think that those who come after me will see that I was not 

 wholly a failure, and so long as memory lasts I shall never forget 

 your kindness, never the affection which you have shown me to-day. 



Mr. Watts said :— 



I regard it as a great privilege to be allowed to propose a vote of 

 very hearty thanks to the artist to whom we owe the making of 

 this portrait, and in whom I am glad to recognize the brother of 

 my old friend Professor Haddon. That the portrait is a success all 

 here will be able to testify, with the picture and the model before 

 them. But it is by no means always that a portrait of a scientific 

 man is successful, and on the walls of the Royal Academy we are 

 all familiar with the misshapen microscopes, the rotund retorts, the 

 skulls and stuffed bird-skins, which are made to do duty as the 

 totems of scientific men. Mr. Haddon has boldly and, as I venture 



