ADDRESS 
BY 
Sir ROBERT HARRY INGLIS, Bart., D.C.L., M.P., 
F.R.S., V.l».S.A., F.R.A.S. 
Trust. Brit. Mus.—Trust. Hunt. llua. 
Delivered in the Theatre of the University ok Oxford, Jcne 23, IM". 
May it please you, Mr. Vice-Cliancellor:—Sir Roderick Murchison; Gentle 
meii of the British AKSociation;~WIien I consider the attainments of the 
distinguished person wliorn 1 succeed in this Chair, I might well shrink from 
a position which places me in any degree in comparison with him ; and when 
I look back on the array of the most illustrious names in science of this age 
and nation, some of whom add hereditary and social rank to die eminence 
whicli they Iiave acquired by their personal labours, and who have in succes¬ 
sion been your IVcsidctils, 1 feel, far more strongly than 1 can express, the 
undeserved honour which was most unexpectedly conferred upon me when the 
Council desired to nominate me to my present position. Though in early 
years, when I enjoyed more leisure, I took such interest as I could in some 
branches of natural philosophy and In iheniistry ; and though 1 bok back 
to those opportunities with the most grateful recollection of their value and 
of the pleasure which I derived from them (it is my own fault if I did not 
derive profit, also, trom Kidd in this place, and from Rlayfair auii from i io|)c 
m Edinburgh), my occupations Jiave, for the larger portion of my life, been 
such as to prevent my persevering in the pursuits which most of those before 
tne hat'e continued to follow to their own honour, among their fellpw mt-n, 
and to the benefit of our common country. 
It has been the practice of former Prc.sidents to address tlte first General 
. leeting of the As.sociation on the progress of science during (he preceding 
year, and on its state and prospects in the present. Sir Roderick Murcliiaon, 
emitient friend, wJio did honour to tnis Chair, took a compreheniive 
grasp of all the objects which this duty placed within hi* reach. When I 
reail Ins Address, I felt, even more llian before, my unfitness tn lullow him ; 
lit such as I am, you have selected me to succeed to his position and his 
utjea; and 1 shall endeavour to discharge my function* with u little di*- 
choice as may be in my power. Wh.'Hcver may be good in 
e obsemtions which follow this exordium, will be owing to my frienda 
Ue Kev. Dr. Robinson, Prof. Owen, Mr. Robert Brown, and Colonel Sabine. 
nxjous as I am not to disgrace your judgement in placing me where I am, 
1 am still more anxious not to assume a merit which does not belong to me ; 
and, therefore, unfeigncdly begging you to attribute to the source* which 1 
lave pointed out whatever may in detail interest yon in the ccuitinuaiion of 
my Address, I am content w iih the distiuction of calling such men iny per¬ 
sonal friends. 
I begin with Astronomy.—T he progress of astronomy during the past 
