ADDRESS. 
lxix 
quate; but in regard to social consideration, I think there has existed some 
misunderstanding. It has been often asserted, and made the subject of 
lamentation or complaint, that men of science do not enjoy in this free country 
the consideration which they do in some countries less favoured otherwise in 
their institutions than ourselves. Mow, if by this it is intended to express 
that men of science are not made Knights of the Garter, or Peers of Parlia¬ 
ment,— that they are not often met with in the haunts of wealth and fashion, 
— that they are not called into the councils of their Sovereign, or sent to 
represent her in foreign Courts, I admit the fact; but then I doubt whether 
these are the natural or fitting objects of ambition to the scientific man : and 
if it is intended by the assertion that they are not, as a class of individuals, 
appreciated by their fellow-citizens for their genius and honoured for their 
services, I cannot so fully admit the fact,. I would ask any of those whose 
presence adorns this Meeting, do they not find that their names are a pass¬ 
port into any society, the proudest of the land ? Whose doors, that are worth 
entering, are not open to them ? There arc certain advantages, superficially con¬ 
sidered, which will always belong to mere wealth or power; but are they such 
as the lover of science can bring himself to envy or desire? Wherever he 
is known he is honoured—witness in themselves the Meetings or this gn at 
Association, and of other kindred bodies, who visit, from time to time, dif¬ 
ferent quarters of our land: whereis their presencenot hailed, not struggled for? 
Where is it not the endeavour of rank and wealth on every such occusiua to do 
honour to itself by showing honour generally and personally to those who. by 
their successful pursuit of science, have done honour to our own or foreign 
lands? If, indeed, there be anything yet wanting in this respect, either in our 
people or our Government, the progress of education in science, to which I have 
Ivefore alluded, will soon supply it. When the various classes of our population, 
hi their schools, their mechanics' institutes, and, not least, in their college s, 
are themselves less ignorant of science; when they have learnt to appreciate 
its value by personal acquaintance with its truths; there is no fear that those 
at whose feet they have sat—whoso names arc familiar to them in association 
with so valuable an acquisition— will not receive all due honour and regard. 
Whether, or to wlmt extent, the result will be a greater association of science 
v ith political position, and how far such association would he advantageous 
to either politics or science, is another question. The experience of foreign 
countries on this head can hardly be held to he quite satisfactory. I m» not 
sure that their men of science have been very successful politicians, or that 
sconce itself has profited by the union. Public life, not less than science,a 
jealous mistress, and does not well tolerate a known devotion to any other 
pursuit. It has besides u science of its own, essential to it, especially in a 
rte country,—the knowledge of men ; and this is not always the special gift 
,n ® D °f science, who deal less with men than with things and thoughts; 
ana lam not sure that the qualities, which fit a man for success in the one 
pursuit, are peculiarly advantageous to him in the other. This, however, in 
certain, that those who administer the affairs of this country ought at least 
° 110 , ,n .k 83 y et do) to know enough of science to appreciate its 
ue, and to be acquainted with its wants and with its bearings on the in- 
0 soc,(!t y; but such knowledge, I cannot doubt, will soon become tlio 
common appanage of all well-educated men; and when it is so, as I said 
ketiu ’" *!* ver » ® ,l ^ er ‘ n the position of science itself, or of men of science, 
« still wanting, will soon be supplied. 
rnfJL aeCe !5 r8 * e * however, this process, 1 would gladly see a more direct 
o ,, . lca ^ on established between the organs of power and scientific bodies, 
oometmng m this respect has already been done by the Parliamentary 
