10 
there are not many who would be disposed to count the cost, I scarcely 
think the question, cut bono, could be asked ; should any one however 
ask it, 1 should answer, the object is to promote the increase of hum^ 
knowledge, to extend the domain of reason ; and “it is the understod- 
ing that sets man above the rest of sensible beings, and gives him ^ the 
advantage and dominion which he has over them. o e 
ground, science is a part of England’s greatness : without science En- 
gland would be nothing, and in the race with the world, if she is for- 
saken by science, she will fall far behind. The exact sciences are 
the foundation of navigation; they are the foundation of engineer- 
ing ; and many of our manufactures are based on principle^ wmc 
have been evolved in the researches of a refined chemistry. Besides, 
have we not sometimes been at fault where science was not ready 
to guide us? We have heard of failures in ship-building ; some 
ships sail slowly, and are therefore of little use; others roU, and 
strain, and are also condemned ; where we have succeeded best we 
have taken our models from abroad, where high science has long 
been urged, to lend its aid in naval construction ; where such men 
as the two Bernouillis, Euler, Chapman and others, have been in- 
duced to examine and discuss the questions of most interest to the 
practical builder. In civil engineering too, our most eminent men, 
I am sure, would not hesitate to acknowledge their obligations to 
our neighbours. We have long been almost unnvaUed in the appli- 
cations of steam ; and yet, who is there who has not sought for the 
theory of the locomotive in the essay of De Pampour, or the pnn- 
ciples of steam in general in the researches of Regnault. 
In military engineering too, as well as in naval architecture, 
has not science been sometimes on the side of our adversaries . ^ 
have we not in consequence suffered severely ? But let me not be 
mistaken. I do not contend that science can in a moment incre^e 
our success in the arts, upon which the greatness of this country de- 
pends. If we were to say to the mathematician, give us the best 
lines for a ship suited to a given purpose, however profound his ma- 
thematical knowledge might be, he would fail ; practice must be com- 
bined, but in due subordination with theory. It is where in a nation 
science is cultivated profoundly by a large class of persons, and cir- 
cumstances exist tending to direct it to practice, that some men mil 
always be found, gifted with the faculty of applying it in whatever 
wav the interests of the country may require. _ i j- ^ 
Popular science, however, will not do: it has its uses, subordinate 
as they are; it must be science of a_ high order; 
at our universities : there a power is created capable of effectm 
great objects, but in too many cases it is not applied at all, and 
toon passes away without useful result. Were it possible to enlist 
that gigantic power into the service of the country y m.. 'ing 
scientific Associations more inviting, by placing science in this me- 
tropolis in a position more attractive, a result would be obtained 
which the merest utilitarian would consider of immense value. 
I deeply regret that the last accounts have brought no intelh- 
