88 Anniversary Meeting. [Nov. 30, 



to be a very strange limitation of the Testator's wishes ; I can only hope 

 that a more enlightened posterity, the outcome of a more liberal and 

 scientific education than now obtains, will introduce into the theory and 

 practice of the Law an interpretation of the " advancement of learning " 

 more in harmony with scientific ideas and the requirements of the age. 

 In the mean time it is much to be wished that the prize thus snatched 

 from so high a purpose may yet be made to contribute in some way to 

 the advancement of original research ; and I feel sure that it will be due 

 to no want of energy and goodwill on the part of the Trustees and of their 

 Secretary, Dr. Carpenter, nor of hearty cooperation on the part of the 

 Royal Society, if science reaps no benefit from the Gilchrist Trust. 



The Government Loan Collection of Scientific Instruments. — It affords me 

 much pleasure to refer to an action on the part of Her Majesty's Govern- 

 ment which we may anticipate will lead to important results to the cultiva- 

 tion of Science in this country. I mean the Loan Collection of scientific 

 instruments which is to be formed at South Kensington in the course of 

 the ensuing year. The Lord President and Vice-President of the Council, 

 in introducing this subject to the first meeting of the men of science to 

 whom they have applied for assistance, shadowed forth their own views 

 and hopes that the collection might prove the commencement of govern- 

 mental action with regard to one of the recommendations of the " Science 

 Commission" — that, namely, dealing with the present want of a museum 

 illustrating the sciences of experiment and observation. The Govern- 

 ment has further suggested to the various continental governments the 

 appointment of Commissions, composed of the most eminent men of 

 science, to which we may confidently look for help in selecting the most 

 important instruments that illustrate the history, the advancement, and 

 the spread of science. 



In the proposed Exhibition not only are modern scientific methods and 

 instruments and the various methods of practical instruction in science to 

 be fully dealt with, but it is also proposed that the history of science shall 

 be illustrated by the actual instruments which have been employed, from 

 the time of Galileo downwards, in those critical experiments and dis- 

 coveries which mark the principal stages along the road of progress. 



The men of science of this country have already responded so warmly 

 to the appeal made to them, that it is not necessary for me to commend 

 the proposed action to them ; and I may conclude my reference to this 

 subject by the expression of a hope that our fellow-workers in other 

 countries will not rest content with sending their instruments, but will 

 accompany them to London, so as to enable us to assure them personally 

 of our esteem. 



On the motion of Sir Thomas Watson, seconded by Sir Alexander 

 Armstrong, it was resolved — " That the thanks of the Society be returned 



