Soctal Science Congress. 175 
were preceded by an address from Lord Brougham, in the 
' Civil Court. 
An enumeration of all the papers read would alone form 
a lengthy report. We are, therefore, compelled, by want 
of space, to confine ourselves to a few abstracts of papers 
selected with a view to interest the majority of our 
readers. 
Lord Shaftesbury being the President of the year, de- 
voted the major part of his Inaugural Address to the con- 
dition of the working classes. In occupying a position so 
often filled by Lord Brougham, he seems to have satisfied 
his critics of all classes, and scarcely any testimony could 
be more conclusive as to the value of his address, from 
which we cull the concluding passage : 
“It is now time to conclude. But there are some, I 
fear, who will reply that I have entered on a high flight of 
speculation, and have left terrestrial difficulties too far 
below. Nevertheless, ‘it is good for us to be here.’ It ts 
good for murmuring men to see how much of the misery 
that he suffers, or inflicts, is due to himself, and how little 
to the decrees of a merciful Creator. It is good for him 
to see how the principle of self-control is the grand principle 
of all social and individual freedom; that the sense of 
responsibility to GOD and to his fellow-man, whether it be 
in the Sovereign on the Throne, or the labourer at the 
plough, is the source of all that is virtuous, and dignified, 
and considerate, and true. Neither is there any hope of 
obtaining excellence, unless our aims be directed by the 
highest standard. ‘Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your 
Father which is in Heaven is perfect.’ Surely this was 
said by our blessed Lord rather to elevate the efforts and 
the prayers, than to declare the actual powers of fallen 
man. And have we no guide? When at night we lift up 
our eyes, and contemplate the peace and splendour of the 
Host of Heaven, how each one is conforming to the law of 
its nature, and, as it were, rejoicing to subserve the uni- 
versal order, we recognise an Omnipotent, yet gentle, 
principle that demands and receives a willing and exact 
obedience. When we turn our thoughts to the globe on 
which we dwell, we see, in all the works of the Great -First 
Cause, the same invariable principle. It ruled at the 
Creation, has prevailed throughout all time, and will bless 
the countless ages of eternity. It is the law of kindness 
and of love, the law that— 
G2 
