512 
The British Association . 
[Odtober, 
solution of problems to which we can at present say neither 
yea nor nay. It is within the region thus indicated that 
knowledge in the true sense of the word is to be sought. 
Other modes of influence there are in society and in indivi- 
dual life, other forms of energy beside that of intelledt. There 
is the potential energy of sympathy, the adtual energy of 
work ; there are the vicissitudes of life, the diversity of cir- 
cumstance, health, and disease, and all the perplexing issues, 
whether for good or for evil, of impulse and of passion. 
But although the book of life cannot at present be read by 
the light of Science alone, nor the wayfarers be satisfied by 
the few loaves of knowledge now in our hands, yet it would 
be difficult to overstate the almost miraculous increase 
which may be produced by a liberal distribution of what 
we already have, and by a restriction of our cravings within 
the limits of possibility. In proportion as method is better 
than impulse, deliberate purpose than erratic action, the 
clear glow of sunshine than irregular reflection, and definite 
utterances than an uncertain sound, — in proportion as 
knowledge is better than surmise, proof than opinion, — in 
that proportion will the mathematician value a discrimina- 
tion between the certain and the uncertain, and a just esti- 
mate of the issues which depend upon one motive power or 
the other. While on the one hand he accords to his neigh- 
bours full liberty to regard the unknown in whatever way 
they are led by the noblest powers that they possess, so on 
the other he claims an equal right to draw a clear line of 
demarcation between that which is a matter of knowledge 
and that which is at all events something else, and to treat 
the one category as fairly claiming our assent, the other as 
open to further evidence. And yet, when he sees around 
him those whose aspirations are so fair, whose impulses so 
strong, whose receptive faculties so sensitive, as to give 
objective reality to what is often but a reflex from themselves, 
or a projected image of their own experience, he will be 
willing to admit that there are influences which he cannot 
as yet either fathom or measure, but whose operation he 
must recognise among the facets of our existence. 
Mathematical and Physical Science. (Section A.) 
In the absence of the President (the Rev. Professor 
Salmon) the Rev. Professor Haughton opened the business 
of this Section. 
