8 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



WEST KENT NATURAL HISTORY 

 MICROSCOPICAL and PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, 



by 



The President, GEORGE DRAPER, Esq., F.R.G.S., 



On February 25th, 1903. 



Gentlemen, 



In a historical survey of the progress achieved in the 

 19th Century— in determining its most conspicuous feature — 

 we are accustomed to describe the Victorian era as the iron 

 age or the epoch of steam, the development of which has 

 tended immeasurably to the prosperity of the Country and 

 the amelioration of the condition of the people. The later 

 years of the century are remarkable for the inception and 

 continuing of the science of electricity. The combination of 

 the two, as sister sciences, establishing a record ever dis- 

 tinguishing our generation as a century of applied science, 

 the successful controlling and leading captive of the laws of 

 nature in its physical aspect, for the benefit of her children ; 

 the solving and utilising of problems which were aforetime 

 regarded with awe as dread mysteries. 



The profound secrets of nature which the Astrologers of 

 the middle-ages sought to evolve by sorceries, incantations 

 and charms — by alchemy and philtres— by ceaseless experi- 

 ments for the discovery of the golden era (if aptly they 

 might find it) are disclosed in the most part to us in these 

 later years. The suggestions of great discoveries, scientists 

 in modern times have availed of and perfected, were by the 

 recluse and student of astrology ignored as of no account in 

 their search for the one alloy which should assure them 

 undying fame. 



