Vol. VII.] [Part II. 
PROCEEDINGS 
OF THE 
YORKSHIRE 
GEOLOGICAL AND POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY 
Edited by JAMES W. DAVIS, F.S.A., F.G.S., &c. 
1879! 
ADDRESS. By WALTER MORRISON, J.P. 
The absence of our chairman, Lord Frederick Cavendish, 
through illness, will be keenly regretted by all of us. It 
has been necessary thus to find, at a moment's notice, another 
chairman, and the committee have accordingly asked me to 
take the chair to-night, and to open the proceedings with a 
few introductory remarks. But it is difficult for a mere 
amateur, whose knowledge of natural science is purely 
second-hand, derived from books, to say anything worth 
your while to listen to, on any scientific topic. I will there- 
fore content myself with saying a word or two as to the 
general results of the study of the laws of nature on human 
society and human progress, as it strikes the mind of an 
outsider like myself. 
The first thing which strikes us as the " differentia " of 
the average student of natural science is his enthusiasm and 
his disinterestedness. His work does not pall upon him, 
does not bore him ; it is a hobby-horse, his happiest hours 
are spent upon it. Here and there you find a student of 
the old-fashioned subjects of education, who works for the 
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