The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-22 00:00:00

patent to the world, and whose researches are most
within the comprehension of the general public, the
British Association for the Advancement of Science
possesses some distinctive features. It numbers
among its leaders some of the foremost men of the
age in intellectual warfare, some of the names
which are not only honoured in other zones and
another hemispheres than our own, but which
will leave their trace on the great history
of scientific knowledge down to other generations
and succeeding eras. It is impossible for the wisest
and most far-sighted politician, however deeply he
may have studied the story of the past, to foretel
our national future; but it is easy to foresee that
so long as the records of human ingenuity survive
and literature retains its icfluence the names of the
great discoverers of the truths of natural philosophy
will be cherished and revered. True scientific
knowledge may be as yet but in its infancy, and
in fact it is very remarkable that as our scholars
advance in their studies they lose that tone of
arrogance and confidence which marked their early
endeavours and successes. .But those who have
laboured to clear the path will not be forgotten,
even as we still turn with respect to the achieve-
ments of those ancient scholars whose codes and
systems have since been completely reversed. But
the British Association is not only noticeable for
the presence of distinguished men who might pro-
bably be found at other scientific gatherings. It is
valuable as a means of popularising science and of
interesting the outer world in the results of labours
and researches which are beyond their ken. The
large numbers who attend the meetings, the thou-
sands who read the reports in the daily journals,
all gather from its deliberations enlarged
views and clearer notions of the purposes
of science, if not more accurate knowledge
of detail. The labours of the Assembly, too, are of
great public benefit in another form. They bring
under practical consideration many of those ques-
tions which perplex the public mind in the ordinary
affairs of life. It is always well to see a question
on every side, and many of our social and political
problems bear a scientific aspect on which it is
well to have the opinion of scientific men. Thus,
in the section of Chemical Science, very full con-
sideration was given to that important question of
sewage, which has puzzled a good many wise
practical men for soma years past. Curiously enough
the same question came under the notice of another
section in the form of Physiology in its effect
on Public Health. If we cast a glance over the
list of recommendations at the close of the report
we shall see that the labours of the Assembly have
not been purposeless. Many valuable suggestions
are made, one of them pressing on the attention of
the Government the importance of fog signals, and
another proposing to the Russian authorities the
establishment of a series of magnetics) observations
' for the furtherance of magnetic science. Our phi-
losophers of the present day cannot be accused of

indifference to the wants of the world around them,
but wisely apply their knowledge and their skill,
not only to the enlightenment and instruction of
those less-informed, but to the practical benefit of
the whole community :by the solution of social
prob!ems.

Among the various meetings and gatherings
which usually distinguish this time of the year
the assemblies of the Volunteer Associations are by
no means the least important. Such gatherings
prove that the national interest in the movement is
kept up undiminished, and that the Volunteers
themselves have not flagged in spirit and persever-

ann._ Pcrnaps tho aumcrnua local associations
scattered throughout the country whose matches

come eff about this time afford stronger evidence of
the number and skill of the marksmen on the one
hand, and of the public interest taken in the pro-
ceedings in the other, than even the great annual
Easter review or the 'Wimbledon gathering. They
show that the principle on which the Volunteer
system is founded is one that has thoroughly ap-
proved itself to Englishmen of all classes, and is re-
cognised by their good sense and national spirit.
It is quite characteristic of English life that the
military service should be voluntary, and the prin-
ciple of self-government is aptly represented in the
varied uniforms of the Volunteers. The happy
combination of public respect for the law with the
resolute maintenance of popular rights which espe-
cially distinguishes this country is illustrated in the
mixed government of the Volunteers, who combine
an observance of the orders of the War Office with
regulations of their own as to all minor matters.
Among the most conspicuous of these gatherings is
the meeting of the Wiltsll,lfle Association, which holds
the first rank among them from the numerous come
petitors usually attracted to it by the number and
value of the prizes offered by the liberality of the
surrounding gentry. At the fourth annual meeting,
which has just been successfully terminated, prizes
to the amount of nearly seven hundred pounds have
been distributed, and accordingly no less than 250
candidates assembled at the butts, near the venerable
city of Salisbury, to try their skill, and win, if it
might be, these tokens of approval. The interest
of the meeting has not, however, wholly centred on
the achievements of the Volunteers, but was di-
vided by the presence of our indefatigable Premier.
Lord PALMERSTON', who is equally at home in a
Parliamentary struggle, an agricultural dinner, a
civic banquet, or a Volunteer contest, had, of course,
the right words to say at the right time. Lady
HERBERT, in whose grounds the grand concluding
fete was held, was the giver of most of the prizes,
but to Lord PALMERSTON was left the gracious
office cf presenting the chief prize, a challenge
cup, to which is added a silver vase by the Mayor
and Corporation of Salisbury. The fortunate re-
cipient was a sergeant of the 6th Wilts, vPho was
doubtless not a little gratified by the trophy and
the manner of receiving it. In his brief but pointed
address Lord PALMERSTON did full justice alike to
the spirit which dictated the Volunteer movement,
and to the energy which has maintained it. How-
ever temporary the cause of its origin, the move-
ment would not, he trusted, be temporary in its
nature, but would retain its place among the per-
' manent institutions of the country. After refer-

ring to the geographical differences which render
our plans of national defence so distinct from those
of Continental States, Lord PALMERSTON observed
that he believed we had now from 150,000 to 160,000
Volunteers organised, equipped, trained, and dis-
ciplined by (Aura who had made themselves ac-
quainted with their duties. Numbers, as he
reminded them, do not alone constitute strength,
but the Volunteers of England have shown them-
selves to be sufficiently expert in their duties to call
forth the approval of experienced military men,
who could scarcely be supposed to be prejudiced
in favour of amateurs of their own profession. The
events of the Wimbledon meeting were of them-
selves unimportant, but they are significant as evi-
dence of the warm interest taken in the move-
ment by all classes, and as showing that our states-
men recognise its value and its national character.

DEATH FROM SWALLOWING A WASP.—On
Monday, at Swingfield, a small village near Dover,
Kent, Mr William Maxted, a blacksmith, was drinking
some ale from jug, when ho remarked to those near, " I
have swallowed something. lam afraid it was a wasp; it
so, I am a dead man." In a very short time after-
wards he fell into the arms of a bystander, and imme-
diately expired.