ADDRESS 
AT THE OPENING OF THE SESSION 1881-82. 
BY R. N. WORTH, F.G.S., 
President. 
Ladies and Gentlemen, — 
The most general characteristic of the progress of Science, 
Literature, and Art since this Institution was founded, in the year 
1812, is the application of true method in every department of 
intellectual activity. The threescore years and ten into which our 
corporate life has extended have seen the origin of many new 
branches of enquiry; the entire transformation of most of the 
old ones. Physical, Natural, and Mental Science, have run a rival 
race ; Literature and Art have enormously extended and popularised 
their domains. But the one feature which has marked whatever 
progress has been made in all directions, the common bond of these 
manifold activities of hand and brain, has been the universal accep- 
tance of the scientific spirit — the spirit which regards no work or way 
of the Creator as common or unclean ; which recognises an absolute 
unity of purpose — a universal correlation — throughout the realms 
of Nature; which is earnest, methodical, patient, fearless; which 
doubts but for fuller assurance, which tests that it may accept ; — 
the spirit whose single purpose is the search for truth, content for 
truth's sake to endure hardship and obloquy, to be foiled yet perse- 
vere, to blunder and confess its folly — knowing well that hardship 
and obloquy and failure and error are but so many steps that bring 
it nearer to the goal. 
Seeking a subject for the address which it is the pleasing duty 
of the member entrusted with the honourable office of your Presi- 
VOL. VIII. b 
