New-York tribune., 1867-10-04
THE SOCIAL SCIENCE CONGRESS.

The sccne changes from Dundee to Belfast,
but the subject is the ame-scence-except that III
Dundee it physical abstract science, under the
Presidency of the Duke of Buccleugh and the
British Association, which EXISTS TO promote it: now
it is social concrete applied science under the PreS-
dency of Lord Dufierin and Claudeboye, and the
auspices of the National Association for the Promo
ton of Social Science. After the British Association
aforesaid had been in existence twenty-sx years. 1t
appeared TO Mr.. G. w Hastings, the son OF Sir
Charles Hastings, an eminent Worcester physician
tEnglandl, that the economic department had grown
into national dimensions, and demanded y national
representation and large enough TO engross the
attention of national society. The idea originated
with Mr.. G. w. Hastings, who has from the first
acted as General Secretary Of this new Society
When the conception was matured he went If re-
member right TO Mr. Monckton Mines, now Lord
Houghton 20 ask him to become President but 1t
was thought that Lord Brougham was the man who
should De asked, who had all his life been identified
with social reformers. MT Hastings posted to
Brougham Hall at Penrtb, and Lord Brougham cor
daily consented to be the President, and during nine
wears he never failed. but with two exceptions, 10
take the chair He last appeared at the Sheffield
Congress of 1866 and though then in his 18th year
there were sIarts OF ms ola trs and vaey ond ID iS
time occupied by the Earl of Shaftesbury also q
nobleman who. as Lord Ashley, was gwen to social
talked too much and abont everything in bis inau
gural addresses. During ,the Am?ncp war he oft
times outraged and seahdalized the Association by
attacks Oh America. The great majority of the Asso
eistion always sided with the North in that fortu-
nate and happly-endlng struggle. Lord Brongh hams
diseursiyeness bad example IN itseii ana gave
an impression Of general wandering in the very sub
iect Of social science On the other hand, Lord
Brougham was continually making q number of val
liable sugges.Dns upon law reform. education. social
economy-subjects longer familiar 10 him than TO any
other living man, aud upon which ho could ever
speak with all the authority Of the highest and most
varied experience. Besides be had known personally
all the great social refOrmers Of past age and social
advancement is beyond all doubt the one thing FOR
which he has 4 profound and inextinguishable
MISSION OF course the social advocates in England
glad 10 see nobleinan talking sense and espe-
cially social sense. Aud II must be owned Brougham
looked upon in England with favorable eyes. The
theOlogians diStrsted them quite rs much "a they
did students Of physical science, and the politicians
of the aristocratc order thought them rather given
to revolutionary views. and the radical pOliti-
clans suspected them OF socialism and IL did happen
that Robert Owen the first public in England
who ever uttered the words " social science" and il
was 40 years after his utterace before social science
was recognized possibility nor is il generally be-
lieved in now in Great Britain. Lord Brougham had,
therefore, to confront an odd adverse and most
picious species Of public opinion. However, to do
him justice. be showed unflinching courage. When
ever Mr.. Owen appeared at any Congress, Lord
Brougham would trouble Bishop TO get up and give
him seat and claim him rs his friend. and insist
npon q respectful hearing for him. Another thing
In his inaugural speeches Lord Brougham always
mentioned by name any person, however obscure,
whom he had learned was actually working in any
sphere to advance social and intellectual improve
ment. Nobody else in England among pubic men
does this. Thus 1t has come abont that Social Sci
ence Congress attracts very earnest group of men
every year, who bring their contributions to the pub
lie service in the way of social science.
Like the British Association the Social Science
Society is peripatetic. and holds its annual meet
ing in o different town every year. Its general
features include, like its progenit0r association sec
uU i'm al
address by its president for the year. and diversified
tions Of its paper readings by excursions, exp0r,-
tiORs of sanitary kind, school visiting luncheOns
public dinners, and cOnversaziones, as tie berality
of the town and district where they assemble may
make possible: The administration Of the society by
Mr. Hastings is far more energetic and ununar ihoi
that Of the British Association. This ltter society
is governed chiefly by Oxford men, who like progress
without mOtiOn-the Social Science Society loves
motion, and hopes II VIII prove to be progress Ii is
more friendly to the press-it knows MS value better
and is rather glad when newspaper CORRESPONDENTS
put in an appearance: The British Associatian on
the other hand Is rather apt TO regard The r,portpr
and historian of its proceedings as n personal enemy
Ia be kept OF somehow In 1853, at wcastc-0nTyne
The Daily Chronicle. conducted by Mr. Joseph COwcn,
it,, 1.-THE son OF Mr.. Joseph COwen, NJ. P1 q daily
chef among all our provincial papers for energy and
public spirit, brought down from London staii Of
Parliamentary reporters, so as TO give not merely
full, but competent account of all that took place
Altogether The Chronicle had q reporters in the sec
tons. The paper took ont eight members tickets at
cost OF eight gulneas for part of its staff and
was aoked 10 pay IA gulneas more Tor tile admission
of the remainder. For the first and only time during
the 81 years existence of the British Association every
thing that occurred ut the whole of the
sections and excursions was published. This
tribute 10 science cost The Chronicle some
f500. The Association did not give any sign
of appreciation by so much special vote of thanks
At Dundee last week Prof. Fawcett NJ. r. omitted TO
spea4iIn the discussions, 10 the value OF which he
always makes additions because accurate or ade-
qnate report was likely TO appear The Social
Science Association manages these things better so
far rs any couTteseS they show the press NAV
conduce to publicity. These are in the hands of Mr.
James Robinson, Assistant Secretary. defect of
this rising Association is that il has as yet given the
world no definition of social sience. Where does
physical science end and social science begin What
line shall be drawn between medicine and hcalihi
Where 80 things sanitary depart from things chei-
calf What is the distinction between eeonomic Sci
ence and COOPERATION 1t requires Auguste Cnme or
John Stuart Mill to attempt reply Men feel that