of Eclinhurgli, Session 469 
and men’s minds, set free from tlie long anxiety, had again tranquillity 
to cultivate the arts of peace, the energy of the rebound was great, 
and the history of British science has been one continued triumph 
ever since. By the exertions of Brewster and Brisbane, and many 
other Associates, our Society again began to flourish, both leading 
and following, the course of discovery as the stream flowed on. Both 
of these men continued to be the pride and ornament of the Society 
long after the expiration of that half century which I have assigned 
to myself as my limit. Sir Thomas Brisbane succeeded Sir Walter 
Scott as President in 1832, and survived until 1860. Long before 
that a new generation had surrounded the veteran philosophers, and 
their destiny has been to recount and carry forward discoveries of 
which even Brewster and Brisbane hardly dreamt. But the merits 
and successes of these later heroes must be the theme of some future 
historian, for at present, although posterity may think them braver 
sons of brave sires, they and their reputation are too close at hand 
to be properly treated of. Some names, indeed, contemporary with 
onrselves, but too early lost, I should like to have mentioned with 
a word of commemoration ; but, on the whole, I have thought it 
better to adhere to my original programme. 
I mentioned in the outset of these remarks that the Society, as 
originally constituted, was divided into two classes, — the Physical 
and the Literary, — and that these classes were to meet separately. 
I do not think this separation was politic ; a'nd it is impossible to 
deny that it very early proved a failure. Por some years the lite- 
rary side of the Society was maintained with considerable spirit and 
vigour, and some of the papers printed in the Transactions will 
repay perusal. Mr Maclaurin’s paper, to prove that Troy was not 
taken by the Greeks, is a bold, learned, and not unsuccessful chal- 
lenge of Homer’s historical accuracy j and since Schlieman’s recent 
explanations, perhaps more reason has been shown for his doubts. 
M. Chevalier contributed an elaborate paper on the Plain of Troy, 
in French, which attracted attention, and obtained some reputation 
on the Continent. One of the most important contributions to this 
department of the Society’s labours is a paper by Henry Mackenzie 
on the German Stage, written at a period when German literature 
was little known or appreciated in this country, and composed in 
the light, elegant style characteristic of the author. There is also in 
the second volume of the Transactions a scholarly and interesting 
