174 Proceedings of the 



effect that I should wish to see all who come here acting with 

 perfect frankness as to what they know and what they do not 

 know. When we hear a member speaking of anything beyond 

 our range of knowledge, but which we think we might master 

 if it were explained to us, why should we let it tacitly pass, as 

 if it were a matter already familiar to us ? Undoubtedly, if 

 we do so, we shall lose the opportunity of learning something 

 on that subject, besides being guilty of a kind of hypocrisy. 

 Why should we not rather candidly confess our ignorance on 

 the point in question, and desire to have it fully explained to 

 us] Does it jar upon our self-esteem to profess ignorance on 

 any point 1 Surely that is absurd, when we reflect how vast 

 is the circle of the known and knowable, — how finite is the 

 power and opportunity of study. If it were to be reasonably 

 expected of us that we should know everything, then to be 

 ignorant of anything would be truly a disgrace. But as no 

 such thing is reasonably to be expected, ignorance on any one 

 subject can be no discredit. Even the man who has some name 

 in science, when I hear surprise expressed that he should be un- 

 informed on some subject which has arisen, so far from deriding, 

 I am rather disposed to honour him. He has two merits in the 

 case, — one from his candour, the other from his desire to learn. 

 If it be said, " But he is one who sets himself forth as a scientific 

 man ; something else is to be expected of him," — I answer, 

 "Why assume that he sets himself forth as a scientific man? 

 He has endeavoured to learn something of science, and we re- 

 cognise his name in connection with scientific societies, per- 

 haps even in connection with scientific papers and treatises. 

 But while he may have made some way in certain paths of 

 knowledge, it is certain that he cannot have acquainted him- 

 self with all. To find him, then, presenting himself as still a 

 learner in certain matters, is no way irreconcileable with his 

 character as a scientific man. Let us give him credit for 

 what he knows, and only admire him for so frankly showing 

 that he has still something to acquire." I hope that the 

 Physical Society will long remain as a place where we can 

 mutually enlighten each other's ignorances — where we shall be 

 equally glad to gather some fresh information, and to impart 

 what we possess. Bear with me in a little egotism, when I 



