i2 Opening Address. 



ceptions, and form as much parts of the general law, as other ad- 

 mitted instances, 



JNo one, I think, who watches the signs of the times, can help 

 perceiving that the progress of science is commensurate with the 

 progress of civilisation. Orators may prate about millions spent 

 in the maintenance of standing armies, the construction of iron- 

 clads, and the manufacture of Armstrong guns and needle rifles ; 

 but all there are the safe-guards of peace, and would seem to be 

 precursors of the time when " swords shall be turned into pruning 

 hooks, and men shall learn war no more." All this, and more, is 

 due to science. 



"When, then, we consider the energy of thought, talent, and 

 labour, which is being displayed now, whether it be in the con- 

 struction of a watch, the construction of railways over Mount 

 Cenis, or the Blue Mountains of this country, or the geographical 

 discoveries in Africa, and its probable consequent civilisation, or 

 the electric wire which transmits a message from London to New 

 York with, almost, the rapidity of thought, may we not, without 

 levity or presumption, look upon them as the human means by 

 which " the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord 

 as the waters cover the sea?" 



Akt. 1. — On tlie Value of JEartli Temperatures, oy G. JR. Smalley, 

 Esq., B.A., F.B.A.S., Vice-President. 

 [Read July 1st, 1868.] 

 The remarks that I have to make this evening will be brief and 

 general : and it is rather with a view of inviting consideration and 

 future discussion on a most important subject, than of entering 

 upon it with that careful preparation that it deserves, that I offer 

 any remarks to this Society upon the instruments exhibited here 

 this evening. 



The main objects of such experiments as I am alluding to, is 

 to determine the law of temperature at different depths below 

 the surface of the earth. 



