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execute them so ably and so gracefully. The productions of the 
last Session, and the attendance at the evening meetings, indicate, 
then, a continued activity and interest in the cause of science. And 
we notice this fact as supplying the answer to an objection which we 
have heard raised against the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and against 
other associations of the same character, viz., that their day had 
gone by; that they were well suited to a period when there was 
little or no scientific current literature, but that their place has 
been superseded by periodicals — that is, by scientific magazines and 
journals, to which men of science will now prefer sending their 
papers, rather than to the less popular and less known Transactions 
of societies. Experience has proved the objection altogether falla- 
cious. Societies have done for science and literature what could 
have been accomplished in no other way. There is the advantage 
of personal intercourse at their meetings, whether ordinary or ex- 
traordinary, — of funds for prizes, — of libraries, and of the general 
prestige of men of high place and high reputation being associated 
in bodies under sanction of Royal patronage. The Transactions of 
home and foreign societies would themselves form a scientific library 
of considerable extent. The library of the Royal Society of London 
now exceeds 40,000 volumes, chiefly on scientific subjects, and in 
mathematical works is surpassingly rich. At no time were such 
associations, either in this country or the continent of Europe, more 
active and more efficient. No doubt this very activity and efficiency 
have produced a change, which, to a certain extent, must affect the 
old scientific institutions. The change to which I refer is due not 
only to the great increase of the number of such institutions, but to 
the great subdivision of the labour in scientific inquiries. The 
Royal Society of London was founded in 1663. Its general object 
was the promotion of Science and Literature. The vast number of 
illustrious names connected with that great Society, and the extent 
of research manifested in its Transactions, amounting to 200 
volumes, are well known to all whom I address. Other similar 
institutions were formed in London in subsequent years. The 
Royal Society of Edinburgh followed, and many provincial associa- 
tions throughout England. Of these the Literary and Philosophical 
Society of Manchester, instituted 1731, has been long distinguished. 
Dr Percival was one of its early supporters. His papers, and com- 
munications from Mr Dalton, Dr Henry, and others, have ever be<m 
