men of science affirm, and affirm what they deny, or else they ignore the matter, or else they are ignorant of the points in dispute and take no interest in them. But the fact is that no one can stop the revolution of the earth by simply saying that it does not move, and no teacher can influence his disciples if in his argument he pre-supposes as accepted and impregnable truth what they, rightly or wrongly, regard as incredible legends.
If even opposition has promoted the knowledge of nature, much more must the innumerable societies established expressly for its promotion have been efficacious. The growing appreciation of science led to their being founded. Their foundation has led to an ever-extending growth in the appreciation of science. Much the same may be said of periodical scientific literature, although that is a subject almost too mountainous, too labyrinthine to enter upon just now. So, too, it is impossible here to make more than a passing allusion to the celebrated Marine Biological Station at Naples, established five and twenty years ago by Dr. Anton Dohrn, with results, direct and indirect, of far-reaching value. For my immediate purpose it may suffice to speak of the British Association. It was founded, as most of you know, in 1831. It is a missionary organization, a peripatetic school of philosophers. While most societies are like ordinary vegetables, rooted to the soil, this has the superior characteristic of an animal, as being capable of free movement. It can flit from Aberdeen to Oxford, from Glasgow to Plymouth, and from Plymouth to Dublin. It can wing its way from Liverpool to Toronto, from Toronto to Bristol, and then leaving "The Queen of the West," pitch its camp, as we confidently expect, the year after next, in Dover. It has brought the wonders and surprises of advancing knowledge to men's own doors. It beats the drum outside their windows, so that they cannot altogether shut their ears to the music. The reception of it entails upon the hospitable town an astonishing amount of trouble and expense. Nevertheless the welcome it receives is not only everywhere extremely cordial, but the pleasant sight is witnessed of rival towns or cities competing for the honour of giving it entertainment. What this parent association does on an imperial scale, our Union hopes to do for a limited area, not by inopportune mimicry, but by judicious following of a great example.
