THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 
249 
know full well, as doubtless many of you do, the extreme diffi- 
culty and delicacy of the subject, and I feel that one's reputation 
for prudence and discretion is somewhat at stake in venturing to 
touch, in this public form, a theme that has puzzled and perplexed 
some of the wisest and most gifted men of our age. But I must 
confess that difficulties always have a fascination for me; and 
perhaps there is as much selfish pleasure in endeavouring to handle 
a tough problem as there is regard for the interest and instruction 
of others. One thing I can say, and that is, the subject is not at 
all new to me. For many years I have made it a study, and, 
though not professing to be a Naturalist or an experimental expert, 
I hope I may say with all humility that I am familiar with the 
arguments of contending schools, and have tried to weigh them 
one against the other with the most rigid impartiality. 
One remark is necessary before proceeding to the exposition ; 
namely, that the question at issue is to be regarded as strictly 
scientific, except so far as Philosophy may come in to shed light 
on the pathway when the eye of Science is dim. I do not mean 
to say that Science or Philosophy, or both combined, can clear up 
all difficulties, and once for all completely solve the problem. 
Science, as yet, is only in its infancy; and Philosophy, though 
older, has not lived long enough to penetrate into all the hidden 
tracks of being and destiny. But what I mean is, that if ever 
we are to find out or know anything about the first appearance 
of Life and Consciousness in the world, apart from supernal 
information, it must be by following along lines of scientific 
research ; and the question therefore is, What information does 
such research yield us 1 What conclusion does it lay before us that 
we may regard as satisfactory ? Or, if Science is unable, in con- 
sequence of the extreme difficulty of getting at all the facts 
implied in the origin of Life and Consciousness, to afford any 
complete satisfaction, what rational hypothesis is allowable, so far 
as we are warranted in forming one at all? 
I have, it will be noted, associated the word "Consciousness" 
with the word " Life " in my statement of the subject before us ; 
and in so doing I have had regard to the differences of opinion 
that may arise as to whether they are essentially distinct, or only 
different aspects of the same question. It may be found as we 
proceed that " Life " in the opinion of some, and in some measure, 
is never existent without " Consciousness," and that consequently, 
s 2 
