of Edinburgh , Session 1875 - 76 . 
39 
to all scientific bodies, and men of science in this country, but to 
the nation at large. The Commissioners are men eminently 
qualified by social position, by enlightened knowledge, and by a 
thorough investigation of the subject, to pronounce an opinion, 
and I feel very confident that when their report comes before 
Parliament, their conclusions will be accepted, the organisation 
recommended by them agreed to, and the necessary supplies 
ungrudgingly voted. 
I have, before concluding, only one other point to mention. No 
great measure, whether political or educational, can be adopted in 
this country by the G-overnment, or even by Parliament, which has 
not obtained previously the general assent of the community. 
Now it is a gratifying circumstance, that during the last few 
months, many distinguished men, good judges of public opinion, 
and who also themselves influence public opinion, have recently 
taken occasion to advert to the question of scientific instruction. 
I have already mentioned the names of His Royal Highness Prince 
Leopold and his Grace the Duke of Marlborough. It so happens 
that the same page of the “ Times” newspaper, of the 12th Nov., 
which reports what they said, gives speeches in the same direction 
by Sir Alexander Cockburn, Lord Chief- Justice of England, and 
by Mr Gladstone, the ex-Premier. Going back a few weeks, I 
find speeches by the Duke of Devonshire, the Marquis of Harting- 
ton, the Earl of Derby, the Marquis of Ripon, Lord Winmanleigh, 
Lord Frederick Cavendish, Sir Stafford Northcote, the Right Hon. 
Lyon Playfair, and Mr Bell, M.P. for Hartlepool, one of our most 
extensive and intelligent iron-masters. 
These names I mention to show that the great landowners of 
the country, and also many distinguished statesmen, are responding 
heartily to the appeal made to them by our manufacturers and 
merchants, who feel that their own interests, and the continued 
prosperity of the country in trade and commerce, require institu- 
tions which will give to their sons, and also to the working classes, 
a more technical education than they have hitherto received. With 
such combined action, who can doubt that an immense impetus 
will be given both to scientific teaching and to scientific research ? 
Wonderful indeed have been the discoveries during the last half 
century, even with the scanty appliances whicli men of science 
