40 G. H. KNIBBS. 



merely directed routine work, and were free to employ their 

 unexhausted energies on such original scientific researches as they 

 deemed worthy of attack. This method of working is consistent 

 with the traditions of the greater seats of intellectual activity, 

 and is productive of the best possible results. It assigns a higher 

 class of work to both subordinate and chief, and makes the post 

 one which might be eagerly sought by the most highly qualified. 



The same principle applies in a University : if it is to have any 

 reputation, if it is to become a living factor in the world's progress, 

 and honourably take its place among the Universities of the 

 world, it must produce : any scheme which exhausts the energies 

 of a staff in mere teaching, or in routine demonstration, is a failure, 

 and will react badly on the future. Although there are signal 

 instances to the contrary, our University is not as yet sufficiently 

 at the disposal of the research student : nor, under its present 

 material limitations, can it be ; for the existing endowment is 

 wholly inadequate. Look at what is elsewhere produced, and 

 compare it with our own results, if you would know where we are. 

 We shall have done well only if we go on and make the instru- 

 ments of culture, already in part provided, really effective. 



But to return to the bibliographical element. In the University 

 and the scientific societies here, we have the nuclei of splendid 

 libraries. Most of the great scientific periodicals of the world 

 are in them. We may be pardoned for referring to our own 

 library. Those members of our Society who consult it know, 

 what a splendid monument it is of the labour on behalf of this 

 institution of our esteemed colleague Professor Liversidge, to 

 whose effort more than to that of any other member of our Society, 

 the creation of this library is due. You will all recollect the 

 testimony paid to its excellence by Professor Threlfall, when I 

 had the honour to convey to him, our sense of regret at losing his 

 services as a member of our Society, University and community. 

 What he said, was — to quote his own words — " Personally I am 

 immensely indebted to the Society for the encouragement it has 

 always given me, and also for the great use I have had of its fine 



