592 Proceedings of the British Association. 



to this spot from which I now address you, mechanical invention and 

 skill have long been attracted as to one of their principal centres ; nor 

 that a neighbourhood so rich in mineral treasures bears its own recom- 

 mendation to the followers of several important branches of natural 

 science. These, with a host of other local reasons, might well justify 

 the selection of Manchester as a place of scientific assemblage. It has, 

 in my opinion, a claim of equal interest as the birth-place, and still the 

 residence and scene of the labours of one whose name is uttered with 

 respect wherever science is cultivated, who is here to-night to enjoy 

 the honours due to a long career of persevering devotion to knowledge, 

 and to receive, if he will condescend to do so, from myself, the expres- 

 sion of my own deep personal regret, that increase of years, which to 

 him, up to this hour, has been but increase of wisdom, should have 

 rendered him, in respect of mere bodily strength, unable to fill, on this 

 occasion, an office which, in his case, would have received more honour 

 than it could confer. I do regret that any cause should have prevented 

 the present meeting, in his native town, from being associated with the 

 name of Dalton as its President. The Council well know my views 

 and wishes in this matter, and that, could my services have been 

 available, I would gladly have served as a door-keeper in any house 

 where the father of science in Manchester was enjoying his just pre- 

 eminence. 



It is no part, as I consider it, of my present office to discuss the 

 reasons which have induced others to suppose that I might hold it, 

 at least, without prejudice to the interests of the Society, or of this 

 meeting. With those who originated its efforts, who conceived its 

 formation, and who have tended it from its cradle in York to its 

 present vigorous maturity in Manchester, I respectfully leave my apo- 

 logy. In addressing to you any remarks on the objects we are met to 

 promote, I can only do so in one way, by endeavouring to convey to 

 you the impressions of an unscientific man — the reasons which induce 

 me, as such, to wish success to its operations, and to defer to the judg- 

 ment of those who have thought I might be of service in my present 

 position. All readers of German literature must have observed the 

 frequent recurrence of a word which signifies the position from which 

 an object is viewed by the spectator — the Standtpurkt, or place of 

 standing. My view of the vast temple of science which, raised by suc- 

 cessive architects, is daily deriving new additions, is dim, and distant, 

 and shadowy. Not even a proselyte of the gate, far less a Levite of 

 the sanctuary, I cannot mould my lips to any Shibboleth of entrance ; 

 and though I fain would worship at a distance, the echo of the ritual 



