The Sun.
London, England, 1834-09-20 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 20, 1834.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION.

The fourth meeting of this Association having been ap-
pointed to be held at Edinburgh, the first general meeting
took place on Monday evening, in the Assembly Rooms,
George-street. The large room (which by them has been
splendidly repainted and supplied with new and brilliant gas
lustres for the occasion), was completely crowded with the
members, and the ladies, by whom most of them were ac-
companied. Among the distinguished strangers on the plat-
form, we observed Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Professor
Arago, Sir David Brewster, Sir Charles Bell, Dr. Dalton.
Dr. Daubeny, M. La Baron Ende, Dr. Lardner, Mr. R.
Murchison, Professor Powell, Dr. Vlastos, Professor Whe.
well, &c.
Professor SEDGWICK, President of the former year,
opened the meeting with an address. The Association,
he said, had exalted him to a position of great honour,
which, at the time, he prized as above all other power,
and to which he would ever look back with the greatest
delight. From this situation he was now on th point
of retiring, but he did so, however, with feelings of ex-
ultation, if such feelings could be deemed appropriate on
such an occasion, as indeed they were, inasmuch as the
trust he held was about to devolve upon a gentleman
of great eminence, and who was more equal to the un-
dertaking than the person who now addressed them. The
Association was not one which was in a bankrupt state,
or which was falling off in either power or numbers, but
one which, on the' contrary, was going on increasing in
strength and in power, and producing effects on the phi-
losophic world which would be felt in generations yet un-
born, and promote the best interests of humanity.—
(Cheers.) Perhaps what he had said might be considered
enough, and if he concluded here, by expressing his gra-
titude for past honours, it might be as well. But he
hoped they would not think he was needlessly clinging to
that chair, if he still detained them for a few moments
longer, by touching on one or two topics connected with
the Institution. He becrged then to congratulate them
on their increasing numbers. Even were it to be sup-
posed that motives of vanity had brought many of them
together, yet under that view there was reason to rejoice
that the public feeling was with them ; for unless they
had the public sympathy, it was impossible even for a phi-
losophic body to go on with success. The Learned Pro-
fessor then proceeded to advert to the original institution
of this association, which he said had been started by a set
of independent men, with the best intentions, and with the
most sober views of future good, and of the success of
their scheme—hardly knowing what constitution to give it,
and never dreaming of the glorious success which it had
now obtained. The first meeting had been held at York—
the second at Oxford, where a large accession of numbers
was experienced—the third at Cambridge, where the num-
bers still further increased, and now it had reached the
Scottish capital, where an addition had been made to their
number beyond all precedent. He then went on to re-
mark on the many circumstances connected with this city,
which tended to endear it to himself and others--especially
that of its having given birth to so many illustrious philoso-
phers, men who had investigated the obscurest relations of
physical science, and disentangled its phenomena. The
learned professor then proceeded to expatiate on the advan-
tages of an association of this nature. On his way hither
he had the good fortune to meet with M. Arago, the per-
petual Secretary of the French Institute, and Dr. Vlastos
from Greece. M. Arago, in the departments which he had
cultivated, was inferior to none in Europe. To meet with
men like these—to breathe the same atmosphere—to par-
take the same sentiments, and enjoy their conversation and
their friendship, were enough to justify the institution of
that association, were there no other advantages.—(Cheers.)
But there were many other circumstances which pointed
out the use of these associations, among which was the
power of combination. How feeble and how powerless was
man when alone, and, on the other hand, how powerful and
how forcible was he when acting in combination ? The
brute elements could then be brought fully into subjection,
and himself raised in the scale of intellectual beings—for as
he gained knowledge lie gained power. Thus great good
arose from combination, and from collision with men even
of conflicting opinions, and a power of concentration was
obtained, which was unknown to a person acting by him-
self. It was said in opposition to this, that the greatest
philosophic works had been achieved in private. This was
so far true: 1-ut the first genii of such Trc.riz.-wits DOl:sllg-
gestgd in private, but originated from the authors having
mingled with men of similar pursuits. He instanced La
Place, whose intercourse with men of letters and science,
must have greatly aided him in disentangling the pheno-
mena of nature—for in all such cases when a point of ex

periment was reached, it was always necessary to call in
experimental men. The Learned Professor next adverted
to the published' transactions of the Association, in illustra-
tion of the uses of the Association. Last year a discussion
had arisen on the Aurora Borealis, which had been found
to be connected with electrical phenomena, thus forming a
link in physical science. Soon after that, a beautiful arch
across the heavens was seen simultaneously at various parts
by, he believed, most members of the Association, and ex-
periments having been made by Dr. Dalton of Manchester,
as to the altitude of the arch, it was found to be 40 miles
above the surface of the earth. The Association at last
meeting, had also rJcommended that experiments should be
made on heated bodies long kept in fusion—in pursuance of
which, certain bodies were at present in the furnace, and
probably would be uncovered for examination in the course
of ten years. Now, but for this Association, these experi-
ments would never have been attempted. He also alluded
to certain observations which had been made at Green-
wich, which were in a raw unreduced state, but which, on
application being made to Government by some members of
the Association, some hundred pounds had been obtained to
assist in preparing these observations for the benefit of the
world. Observations on the tides were also in progress,
from which great good was expected. The learned Pro-
fessor next proceeded to combat the objections which had
been urged against such Associations. They are said to be
dangerous in their tendency, but he denied that the investi-
gation of truth could ever be injurious to mankind—this
was a libel on the God of Nature—for instead of impugning
any of the grander truths, they would, on the contrary, be
more and more corroborated. He urged most strenuously
upon the Association the necessity of keeping in mind the
objects of its institution, and to confine their researches to
dead matter, without entering into any speculations on the
relations of intellectual beings ; and he would brand as a
traitor that person who would dare to overstep the pre-
scribed boundaries of the institution. If the Society should
ever be broken up—which God forbid—he would predict
that it would happen by some member's imprudently and
daringly passing its boundaries. Before concluding, he
made some complimentary remarks on the fame which this
city had always enjoyed as a seat of learning and science ;
and in allusion to the monuments of Burns, Playfair, and
Stewart, which had been erected on the Calton Hill since
last he (Mr. S.) had visited this city, said, that although he
did not disapprove of monuments to warriors who had
fought the battles of their country, yet he viewed with
more pleasurable interest such monuments as those,—me-
morials as they were of peace,—and with which was con-
nected neither shrieks nor wailings, heart-breakings nor
blood.—(Clieers.) They were the visible representation of
those feelings in which they participated. He then moved
that, in accordance with the resolution of the general com-
mittee last year at Cambridge, Lieut.-General Sir Thomas
Brisbane do take the chair.

Sir THOMAS BRISBANE then took the chair amid great
applause. He said, that after the distinguished nobleman
and the two celebrated professors who had preceded him in
that honourable situation, he appeared before the meeting
with the utmost diffidence, and he claimed their indulgence
if he should prove unequal to discharge his duties in a be-
coming manner, for he felt that it would require universal
knowledge to do justice to his situation. He then expressed
his gratitude for the honour which had been conferred on
him ; and remarked, that although Edinburgh could not
boast of accommodation to rival that furnished in the other
cities where the Association had met, he was sure the in-
habitants would not yield in any degree the desire to give
the Association the best welcome, and uphold their national
character for hospitality.—(Cheers.) After alluding to the
kindness of the various public bodies, in offering every faci-
lity to the Association, he proceeded to congratulate the
Society on its progress and increasing prosperity, and ex-
pressed a hope that it would go on increasing until its effects
should be felt, not only throughout Europe, but throughout
the globe which we inhabit.--((;Treat cheering.)
Mr. RosisoN, one of the Secretaries, gave an account of
the arrangements which had been made for the accommo-
dation of the members, and the general order of the busi-
ness of the week.

Professor FORBES then rose, and proceeded to give a
general view of the progress of the affairs of the Associa-
tion, but we are necessarily compelled to abridge his obser-
vations for want of space. The character of the Associa-
tion, he said, may be considered as unique. It is not to be
confounded with those numerous and flourishing institutions
which have sprung up, especially of late years, for the sim-
ple diffusion of scientific truths. Such diffusion does not
even,..properly speaking, include any attempt at extension

or accumulation ; if in many cases it does promote such
extension, it is indirectly, and, beyond a doubt, has some-
times had the opposite tendency. The intellectual wealth
of mankind is no more increased by this operation, than is
the weight of the precious metals under the hand of the
gold-beater. A greater display may indeed be attained, and
a more commodious application to the useful and the ele-
gant purposes of life ; but for the actual increase of the
stock which may hereafter be fashioned with ease and expe-
dition by the hands of a thousand artificers, we must recur
to the miner toiling in his solitary nook, and to the labourer
who painfully extracts some precious grains from the bed of
the torrent. It is the furtherance of this species of produc-
tive energy that the British Association claims for its capi-
tal object. The diffusion of a taste for science amongst its
numerous members is no doubt one of the most necessary
and most desirable consequences of the principles upon
which it is founded ; but it is not the basis of these princi-
ples. To teach those who have never pursued natural
knowledge but as an occasional amusement, to feel that for
them a field lies open which to-morrow they may call their
own—to lend them such aid as may promote the success of
their exertions, by removing the preliminary difficulties, and
pointing out the existing boundary betwixt the known and
the unknown—to stimulate these exertions and those of
others who have already become, to a certain degree, fami-
liarized with the labours and with the results of intellectual
toil, by enabling them to mix with the veterans in each
department who have gained, and who still continue to
gain, the highest rewards which the investigation of nature
confers,—who will point out the methods which they pur-
sued, the disappointments which they met, and the difficul-
, ties which they surmounted ; thus affording at once the
gratificatioit which every- generous mind feels in personal
communication with those who have signalized themselves
by intellectual achievement, and the instruction, and en-
couragement for the pursuit of a similar course which
words and words alone can impart,—these we hold out as
amongst the first and most valuable objects proposed
to be attained by the institution of this Association.
The migratory Scientific Associations of Germany and
Switzerland—to which we gratefully acknowledge that our
Britith one owes its rise—embrace only one class of the
objects to which we have above alluded, as characterising
this body. Their aim was simply to promote the inter-
course of scientific men, and to diffuse a taste for the pro-
secution of science. Their existence is not permanent,—
they execute no functions but for the moments during
which their members are once a-year assembled,—they re- -
gard not the-past, and have no cares for the future,—they
merely receive and consider the communications which the
zeal of individual members places in their way. Such was
proposed to be the character of the body this day assem-
bled,—an imitation of the foreign meetings having been
suggested by some individuals engaged in scientific pursuits
amongst whom Sir D. Brewster was conspicuous ; but
the original idea, and the much more signal merit of bring-
ing that idea to bear, of establishing a permanent society,
of which these annual reunions should simply be the meet-
ings, but which, by methods and by influence peculiarly its
own, should, during the intervals of these public assemblies
(whilst to the eye of the world apparently torpid and inac-
tive), be giving an impulse to every part of the scientific
system, maturing scientific enterprize, and directing the
labours requisite for discovery,;—the clear perception of
the practicability of all this, and the discovery and sugges-
tion of methods for its fulfillment, were due to one indivi-
dual, and to one alone ; and I shall be borne out by all
those who have closely watched the progress of this So-
ciety from its birth to the present hour, when I say, that
not only for the idea generally, and the modes of carry-
ingit into effect, but for the actual construction of the ma-
chinery in its whole details, we are indebted to the almost
single-handed exertions of Mr. Wm. Vernon Harcourt. If we
now turn from the professions to the acts of the Associa-
tion, we shall find gratifying proof that these sanguine an-
ticipations were not chimerical ; and that this primary ma-
chinery, not destined itself to do the work desired, but to
construct the tools requisite for its performance, was want-
ing neither in efficiency nor in permanence. The first and
most signal proof which we can cite, is the production of
those Reports on the Progress of Science which appeared to
the founder of the Association one of the most important
objects of such an institution, and one which, beyond all
dispute, no existing society could have attempted. To re-
quire of persons whose time was in all cases more or less
val btu, inieh n devotion of it as was required for a syste-
matic and precise detail of the recent progress of the science
which they respectively cultivated, was to make a demand,
the boldness of which cannot well be appreciated, but by
those who have had experience in the labour of bringing
together the substance of detached, though often pro-
found, papers in the extensive range of scientific periodi-
cals and academical collections. Yet so obvious was the
utility of the proposed undertaking, that, in the very in-
fancy of the association, there were found several distin-
guished individuals, and chiefly from the University of
Cambridge, who had not even been present at the first
meeting, but who volunteered to undertake some of the
most valuable of these reports which appeared in the first
volume of the proceedings of the Association. As Mr.
Whewell enumerated these in his last year's address, I
will not farther allude to them ; yet it ought specially to
be observed, that these reports differ entirely from the short
systematic treatises-on scientific subjects with which the
press teems. They are not primarily, intended for the gene-
ral reader—they are not meant for the purpose of particu-
larising technical subjects ; their main object is so to classify
existing discoveries
as to lead the individual who is pre-
pared to grapple with its difficulties to start with the most
complete and accurate knowledge of what has already been
done in any particular science, not intended itself to contain
that knowledge, but merely to serve the purpose of a cata-
logue raisonnee, by means of a lucid analysis and arrange-
ment, at the same time (and here is the great necessity of
securing the co-operation of persons distinguished in the
several departments). that the report should point out the
most important questions which remain for solution, whe-
ther by direct experiment or by mathematical investigation.
The second volume of Reports has amply justified the ex-
pectations with which it was hailed ; and while the first was
chiefly occupied with reports upon great and leading divi-
sions of science, we have here several happy specimens of
a still greater division of labour by the discussion within
moderate limits of some particular provinces. Thus Mr.
Taylor has treated of one particular and most interesting
question in geology, the formation of mineral veins—one of
the most important, in a theoretical point of view, which
could have been stated, and which, from its intimate con-
nexion with commercial speculation, might have been ex-
pected in a country like ours to have been more specifically
treated of than it has been. It strictly belongs to the dyna-
mics of the science, to which, since the time of Hutton, but
little attention has been paid until very recently, by the
exertions of Mr. Came, of Dr. Boase, and Mr. Henwood
of Cornwall, whose researches are to form one point of dis-
cussion in the geological section at the present meeting.
That electric agency was concerned in the disposition of
metalliferous veins can scarcely be doubted ; and the con-

---..
flexion between electricity and magnetism, now so- fully
established,—the connexion between metalliferous veins and

lines of elevation, and between the latter and the isodyna-
mical lines of terrestrial magnetic intensity, as suggested by
Professor Necket of Geneva,—point out a bond of union be-
tween this subject and that of terrestrial magnetism on which
we have a report by Mr. Christie, where the very interesting
direct observations of Mr. Fox of Falmouth, on the electro-
magnetic action of mineral veins, are particularly noticed.
Mr. Christie's theory of the diurnal variation of the needle,
which he is desirous should be submitted to the test of a
laboratory experiment, is likewise intimately connected
with the actual constitution of our globe. The whole sub-
ject of Terrestrial Magnetism is one of the most interest..
ing and progressive of the experimental sciences. The de-
termination of the direction of the magnetic energy by
means of two spherical co-ordinates termed the variation
and the dip, and the measure of the intensity of that force,
are the great objects of immediate research, as forming a
basis of theory. The existence of four points on the
earth's surface, to which the needle tends, has long been
known ; and the position of two of these (in Northern
Asia and America) has recently been elucidated by the
persevering efforts of Professor Hanstein and Commander
Ross. The precise numerical determination of the elements
just alluded to, acquires a deep and peculiar interest from
the multiplied variations which they undergo. Not only are
these elements subject to abrupt and capricious changes,
which Baron Humboldt has termed magnetic storms ; but
gradual and progressive variations are undergone at different
hours of the day, at different seasons of the year, and
throughout longer periods, which may even perhaps bear a
comparison with the sublime cycles of Astronomy. Natural
History forms a more prominent subject in this volume
than in the last, though the reports of Professor Lindley
on
Phi-
losophy of Botany ;" and of Dr. Charles Henry " on the
Philosophy of the Nervous System," refer only to parti-
‘ulartdhe Principal questions at present debated in the e
departments of widely extended subjects, which are
again to be resumed in more general reports, undertaken
for the present meeting,—that by Mr. Bentham, on Sys-
tematic Botany, and by Dr. Clarke of Cambridge on Phy-
siology in general. We cannot but remark with pleasure,