Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 52.djvu/57

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THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION AT TORONTO.
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sign his name in the volume of the university register, while the building rang with applause. The recipient, who also wore the redlined hood of his new doctorate, then responded in a short address. In succession this form was gone through for Lord Kelvin, Lord Lister, Sir John Evans, and Mr. Hardy, Attorney General of the Dominion. Prof. Wolcott Gibbs, President of the American Association, was also similarly honored, but he was unable to be at Toronto in consequence of illness.

The addresses made by the recipients were interesting as being characteristic. Lord Kelvin spoke, in his distinctly Scotch accent, as a univarsity man, of his interest in the univarsity, and his pleasure in receiving its honors as a tribute not to himself personally, but to the interests of science, to which he had devoted his life. He rejoiced in the growth and progress of Toronto University, its beautiful site, its noble buildings, and its great influence on education throughout the province; himself the son of a univarsity professor, growing up in the atmosphere of such institutions into his own career, first as a student and then as a professor, all his life had been spent in such relations, and he knew them and loved them best of all. Lord Lister spoke but briefly; he is a man of rather few words, with a sweet and genial benevolence of aspect that is characteristic of the kind, cultured, and aged physician. He could add little, he said, to what Lord Kelvin had already expressed, save to make some particular reference to the work of the university in establishing and advancing the high grade of medical education in the Dominion. Sir John Evans followed, and referred to the contrast between his own history and experience and that of Lord Kelvin, he never having been a university man, and having gained and learned whatever he had achieved without those early advantages and associations that were so rich and attractive. Other addresses were made by Mr. Hardy and the viceroy, Lord Aberdeen.

The convocation at Trinity University was similar in general character and aspect; but the beautiful chapel in which it was held was so crowded that the writer was unable to enter, and can not describe it in detail.

The conversazione, held on the last evening before the close of the meeting, in the main building of Toronto University, was a brilliant social reception, less formal than that of the viceroy, and unmarked by the military guards that formed so conspicuous a feature at the Parliament House, but in other respects equally handsome and equally thronged.

After the adjournment, on Wednesday, a banquet was given to the chief officers of the association, which is described by those present as again a very brilliant scene. The speeches that followed