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mention other names in this department, Newton had formed 

 a distinct conception of his three great discoveries while a stu- 

 dent and fellow of Trinity College. Herschel, it may be add- 

 ed, had constructed the reflector with which he discovered a 

 new primary planet, before he relinquished his engagements 

 as a music master. 



And as we find it in Astronomy, so it has been throughout 

 the circle. And here it is desirable to understand, how much 

 credit is due to the public— to political communities and to go- 

 vernments—for the actual advance which at any time has been 

 made in science. Undoubtedly, governments have done some- 

 thing for the presei-vation of knowledge, and something for 

 diffusing it in some degree, gi-eater or less. These are the pur- 

 poses for which pubhc schools, colleges and universities have 

 been established.* The primary object in all these is instaic- 

 tion — instruction of course in what is known; and it is ex- 

 pected, therefore, in the higher institutions, that those who 

 conduct them shall possess themselves of all learning, up to its 

 highest state of advancement at the period, that they may be 

 able to impart it. The tendency unquestionably is, to keep 

 the learning of the age from absolute retrogression. But 

 whatever more shall be accomplished, is expected, if at all, to 

 come of individual enterprize, acting too often under the dou- 

 ble discouragement of inadequate support and of oppressive 

 exactions. It is true, however, that in some countries, their 

 educational systems have been arranged under state authority 

 and endowment, with a distinct view to enlarge, as well as 

 maintain, the boundaries of knowledge. 



And yet, on the whole, this has been a most neglected in- 

 terest in the hand of governments. It was for this very rea- 

 son, that learned men, seeing the necessity of making some 

 effectual provision for it, at a very early day set themselves to 

 devise that plan, which consists in the establishment of volun- 

 tary associations, like this I am now addressing, for the pur- 



originally founded and endowed by individuals, though subsequently adopted and 

 patronized by the governments. The English university colleges originated in 



