PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING. 
23 
transactions and journals ; let us look, Gentlemen, at the list 
produced this day of Philosophical Societies which have grown 
up in all parts of the kingdom. The multiplication of these new 
and numerous institutions indicates a wide extension of scientific 
pursuits. The funds so liberally contributed to their support 
bear evidence of an enlarged disposition in the public to promote 
such pursuits. 
“ It is on this very ground I rest the necessity and the prac¬ 
ticability of establishing in science a new impulsive and directive 
force, that there are new and more abundant materials to be di¬ 
rected and impelled. The mining-field of discovery seems to 
me to show, on the one part, the ore breaking out on every side ; 
veins of the precious metal scarcely opened or imperfectly 
wrought; and on the other a multitude of hands ready to work 
it; but no one engaging them to labour, or showing them in 
what manner they may employ their industry to the best advan¬ 
tage. And therefore it is that I propose to you to found an 
Association including all the scientific strength of Great Britain, 
which shall employ a short period of every year in pointing out 
the lines of direction in which the researches of science should 
move, in indicating the particulars which most immediately de¬ 
mand investigation, in stating problems to be solved and data to 
be fixed, in assigning to every class of mind a definite task, and 
suggesting to its members, that there is here a shore of which 
the soundings should be more accurately taken, and there a line 
of coast along which a voyage of discovery should be made. 
<e I am not aware, Gentlemen, that in executing such a plan 
we should intrude upon the province of any other Institution. 
There is no Society at present existing among us, which under¬ 
takes to lend any guidance to the individual efforts of its mem¬ 
bers, and there is none perhaps which can undertake it. Con¬ 
sider the difference, Gentlemen, between the limited circle of any 
of our scientific councils, or even the Annual Meetings of our 
Societies, and a Meeting at which all the Science of these king¬ 
doms should be convened, which should be attended, as this first 
Meeting you see already promises, by deputations from every 
other Society, and in which foreign talent and character should 
be tempted to mingle with our own. With what a momentum 
would such an Association urge on its purpose ! what activity 
would it be capable of exciting ! how powerfully would it attract 
and stimulate those minds, which either thirst for reputation or 
rejoice in the light and sunshine of truth ! 
“ The eldest of our scientific Institutions contemplated, in 
its origin, the objects which we now propose to pursue. The 
foundation, Gentlemen, of the Royal Society was an attempt to 
