quent progress is the history of the advancement of Science during 

 the last fifty-eight years. 



" During this time perhaps notliing is more striking than tlie 

 wide scope and practical utility of its work. Such varied .subjects 

 as the shooting stars, the science of ship building, underground 

 drainage and the most intricate chemical questions, i-oceived equal 

 attention, and had 'additional light thrown upon them under its 

 influence ; while hundreds of other subjects, scientific and practical 

 were throughly investigated by the voluntary labours of its 



" By having its meetings in different towns of Great Britain, it 

 made their men of science personally known to each otlier, and as 



machinery easily guided from tlie central point. In 1883, or 

 1884, it held its meethig in .Alontreal, and at this it was suggested 

 that on some future oceasiou it should be held in Australia. This 

 idea had previously occurred to Professor Liversidge in 1872, who 

 seeing the impossibility of carrying it out at that time, owing to 

 the length and cost of the voyage Arc, turned the opportunity to 

 advantage in 1886 by advocating the preliminary, practical, and 

 important step of establishing in the meanwhile an " Australian 

 A.ssociation for the Advancement of Science." 



" From this date, the question appears never to have been absent 

 from the mind of Professor Liversidge, but was carefully introduced 

 by him to the Public at every favourable opportunity, until finally 

 his efibrts were, as we know, brought to a successful issue during 

 the Centennial year." 



Although, as I have already stated, I was prevented by the 

 state of my health from taking an active part in this important 

 festival, and am unable therefore to describe from personal 



place, I know that it was an eminent success, and that it was 

 attended by delegates and others of higli scientific reputation from 

 all the Colonies who collectively formed a body of men ably 



