INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
25 
Leichhardt, Gould, \V. Sharpe, M‘Leay, Gunn, Milligan, Sprent, 
Davy, Jukes, Haast, McKinlay, Clarke, Castleraan, Tenisou- 
Woods, Scortechini will have left for future inspiration and due 
gratitude many science-bequests of enduring value, gained largely 
on Australian soil ; yet some loneliness of its own may perhaps 
he felt through missing them, for which the contact with a 
younger generation can perhaps not always fully compensate. 
Individual life at best is but short; thi'ough “the .advance- 
!uent of science ” it can be prolonged, can be rendered capable of 
much augmented achievement, can be made susceptible tf> multi- 
plied enjoyments and much inci’eased usefulness. We advance 
towards a greater future ; what would we wish man’s destiny in 
life to be? Can unprosperity be banished through amplest in- 
dustrial productiveness ? Can coiitentions be abolished by a 
universal recognition of rights ? Can savagedom early be made 
to cease ? Can finally each human being be etluca ted to highei' 
and worthier ideals? Can atheism be made to vanish? Can 
knowledge with its Baconian passwoi-d bring its power to 
bear, to accomplish these most transcendental of objects ? Can 
as interpreters of answers to such cosmopolitan questions all 
bearers of science throughout the world unite in a mental 
brotherhood ? 
-■V7id now some few closing woi'ds. Though while coming 
together in this Ass<jciation we do not engage in political 
discussions, yet in one aspect we might venture, to diverge from 
the strict path, marked out foi- science-votaries — it is in this, to 
foster also through our bonds the “ union of the empire,” under 
permanent British supi’emacy. This must be the ai'de)it wish of 
every true subject of om- gracious Sovereign. Thereto point the 
gi-aiulest traditions, prominence in history, woild-wide nati<mal 
influence, innneasurable strength of the )'ealm, irresistible patilotic 
•sentimejits ; thereto also leads us veneration for the great home- 
land, wdth its keen sense of justice, philanthropic clemency, 
{>ractical tendencies and indomitable energy. May the J’eflex rays 
of that national greatness fall ever unobscured <ni us also here! 
^V^at are we, whether in science m* in any other considei'ation, 
without Britain in all its prototypic bearings ;md gloiy ? Take 
this aw.ay, sever us from this, then the best of impulses, the greater 
contidence in our purpo.ses, as w’ell as our main guidance and 
"would be lost ! And where would be our gratitude ? 
Britain bestowed on us a whole continent, wdth oceanic 
boundaries, within salubrious zones, exempt from .lutochthonic 
Complications, with i-esources uncountable — all as a. free gift, 
a.s an unencumbered patrimony. The solidity of a great enipire 
w ill .also be a guarantee foi' the best-connected and most luminous 
of science-progress in all dominimis, o\ er which its scejAre sways ; 
it will ever signalise a powei’, by which knowledge and enlighten- 
ment and indeed religious j-evei’ence also, will be carried 
