_ ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 13 
name is unknown to many present here to-night, that must be 
regarded as a mere local misfortune. Kundt was one of the most 
brilliant of modern experimentalists, and made great advances 
in acoustics, optics, and magneto-optics. It is of interest to 
note that the monatomic and probably elemental character of 
argon discovered during this year was established (in so far as 
it is established) by a method invented by Kundt. Exact inform- 
ation has not yet come to hand as to the method employed, 
but as Kundt’s method is probably the best available in dealing 
with small quantities, it is pretty safe to assume that it was 
employed in this instance. To Kundt the rapid rise of the 
University of Strassburg is in great measure due, and to his 
energy we owe one of the finest physical laboratories in the 
world. Before all things, Kundt was what the Germans call 
“gemiithlich ”—a jolly fellow. His method of teaching was 
copious and admirable conversation in the laboratory, and there 
probably never was a teacher who had so strong a hold upon his 
pupils—a hold both of heart and head. There was nothing in 
the way of experimenting he could not do; his spirits were 
always at boiling point ; he was never seen without a smile on 
his face, or heard to breathe an unkind word. He had a magnifi- 
cent adoration for the work of Faraday; in all things he was 
eager—a great human lion with flowing hair and beard, and 
inexpressible good humour. He was a thorough German, too. 
His surprise at seeing me, a man who had been to Australia 
and actually returned, was exquisite. He was even late for 
lecture to celebrate the event. ‘“Eheu fugaces”—the least of 
all thy servants bids thee adieu dear master, there is no other 
man like thee. Helmholtz, Hertz, Kundt—-what a gap their 
loss makes ! 
% * - ~ 
I now propose to give a brief account of some of those 
advances which have been made in physical science since I last 
had an opportunity of compiling a report, viz. in 1889. It 
must be understood, however, that I do not profess to refer to 
every research of importance, for no address could contain more 
