516 
LADIES ADMITTED ON THE PLATFORM. 
the regards of all, of humble as well as 
of those in the most exalted stations, are 
directed towards your proceedings ; and 
that every where multitudes continue to 
press around you, not merely as curious 
spectators, but as active workmen. 
Here the mechanic repairs to lay before 
you his inventions for giving increased 
effect to human industry, as well as the 
philosopher who seeks to render the 
forces belonging to inanimate matter a 
substitute for manual labour, and there- 
by to ease mankind of more than half 
their toils; and here also the statesman 
seeks to perfect himself in the knowledge 
of the nature and extent of the materials 
at his disposal, for effecting the improve- 
ments he contemplates in the social 
edifice. 
Though myself unprofitable spectator 
of your exertions, I would claim to be con- 
sidered as one greatly interested in your 
success. I arn fully sensible that this is 
but a poor claim to the notice with which 
I have been honoured, and I can assure 
you, gentlemen, that any language aft 
my command would be no less poor to 
convey the feelings it has excited; I can- 
not therefore trust myself in making the 
attempt, but must confine myself to the 
simple declaration, that the feelings 
awakened by your unmerited kindness, 
far from any admixture of self-com- 
placency, are those of the humblest, as 
of the warmest gratitude. 
With respect to the Presidency itself, 
with which I have been so highly hon- 
oured, I think that it maybe compared 
to a brilliant gem, to which it bears 
many striking analogies, but chiefly in 
this, that whilst it dignifies every thing 
with which it is connected, its own na- 
tive lustre can neither be impaired nor 
improved by any adventitious circum- 
stance. Yet in returning this precious 
gem with my unfeigned acknowledge- 
ments, you will permit me to offer my 
hearty congratulations, that the sphndid 
setting it is now to receive, is in so much 
better keeping with its own inhereiit 
beauty and its inestimable value. 
At the conclusion of his address, Pro- 
vost Lloyd resigned the chair to the Mar- 
quis of Northampton, who immediately 
came forward and said, that he should 
mark his accession to sovereign power 
by an act of royal favour. Ladies were, 
by law, excluded from the platform 
reserved for the General Committee; but 
as there were many ladies greatly incon.. 
venienced for want of seats, he would 
however, without fear of the imputation 
of tyranny, suspend that law, and invite 
as many to come upon the stage as it 
would admit. 
The Rev. Mr. Coneybeare (who acted 
as Vice President), said he would, with 
much pleasure, countersign and issue 
the ordonnance. 
The Marquis then alluded to the 
cause which had deprived the meeting 
of Lord Lansdowne’s services : he was 
sure that there was no person present 
wi>o did not -eel a sympathy for the 
afflicted father, and a sincere anxiety for 
the recovery of the suffering son.* The 
subject was a painful one ; but the ill- 
ness of a young nobleman of such high 
promise as the Earl of Kerry would, he 
was assured, be deemed a grievous 
affliction to all who knew his merits ; 
and secret prayers would be offered for 
his recovery in every heart in the as- 
sembly. 
His Lordship congratulated the 
meeting on the great accession of mem- 
bers which the Association had receiv- 
ed in Bristol. Some persons had 
doubted the utility of these reunions ; 
but if any such sceptics were present, 
he would reply to them in the words of 
the sublimest epitaph ever written, 
Monurnentum si quaeris, circum- 
spice.’’ Was it possible, when so many 
enlightened minds were thus brought 
together, — when such a blaze of light 
was thus kindled, that its cheering rays 
should not extend to other minds, and 
light up in other bosoms the same holy 
fire ? The effects of such assemblages 
were political and moral. Here ivere 
men of every shade of denomination 
and opinion engaged in one united 
effort in the cause of science and truth 
— eminent men from foreign lands, 
united by the glorious brotherhood of 
mind, were here assembled, to cement 
the intellectual union of nations. This 
he regarded as a political result of the 
highest and most gratifying order. The 
moral effect of the Association arose 
from truth being the great object of all 
its labours ; and every truth directly 
led the mind to the consideration of the 
Eternal Being who had given us facul- 
ties to appreciate the wonders of his 
* Whose death, we aie sony to ha\e to amioiince 
as havitig occmied the verj d;t) ol tois udiiresv 
