the connexion of Sanitary Science with the moral and religious condition of a people, is now recognised, though unfortunately public opinion is not yet sufficiently enlightened fully to appreciate all the bearings that the Science of Public Health has upon the highest interests of a great nation. To assist in popularizing correct views on such subjects, is at once the privilege and duty, not only of eminent scientific men, whose discoveries lend a lustre to their country and their age, but of the humble votary of science, who seeks to create a more just appreciation of their labours in the popular mind. The author has again to express her obligation to the distinguished founders and members of the British Association, who have, in various ways, assisted her in her present work. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Science an important Element in National Progress-Rapid Growth of Scientific Discovery-The Age of Bacon-Rise of Scientific Societies-The Royal Society -Principle of Voluntary Association-Evils of Centralization-Mirabeau's Opinion of England's Strength-Theoretical Science-Importance of Scientific Instruction-Deficiencies in English Education for all Classes-Classical Know- ledge not the Key to Scientific Progress-Consequence of Ignorance-Indiffer- ence of Government to Science and its Cultivators-Neglect of Watt-Arago's Eloge of Watt-Losses incurred through Ignorance of Science-in Agriculture- Defective Education for the Sons of Agriculturists-The late Earl of Leicester Losses incurred in the Mechanical Arts-Evidence of Engineers, &c., as to Import- ance of Educated Workmen-Albert Escher, Esq.-William Fairbairn, Esq.- M. Coquiel on English Deficiencies in Industrial Training-Sacrifice of Life in Mines through Ignorance-Losses in Mines-Importance of Geological Science in Preventing Loss-Metallurgy, Losses from Ignorance of-Opinions of Scien- tific Men-Loss of Shipping and Human Life through Ignorance-Benefit of Improved Education for Sailors-Reports of Scientific Men on this Subject- Losses of Life through Ignorance of Sanitary Laws-In Large Towns-Villages -Pharmacy-Losses incurred through Ignorant Dispensers of Medicine- Importance of Improved Education for all Classes-Attention now paid to this PAGE Origin of the British Association-Previous Congress of Scientific Men in Germany -Sir David Brewster's Letter-First Meeting in York-Arrangements for its Organization-First President, Viscount Milton-Adjournment to Oxford- Second Meeting-Beneficial Influence of the Association-Reports on the Existing State of Science-Degrees conferred by the University-Meeting at Cambridge-Progress of the Association-Use of the British Association- Remonstrance addressed to the Duke of Newcastle on becoming President- The Meeting at Leeds in 1858-Leading Article in the Leeds Mercury-Popula- tion and Trade of Leeds-Town Hall-Programme of the Meeting-Inaugural Address of President-A Visit to the Sections-Conversazione-Section F.- Woollen Manufactures of Leeds-Iron Trade-Lecture of Professor Phillips- Sections G. and C.-Horticultural Fête at Kirkstall Abbey-Sections G. and F. -President's Lecture-Sections C. and E-Paper on Penny Colonial Postage Character of the Sections of the British Association-Section A, Mathematics and Physics-Results of the Labours of this Section-Importance of pure Mathe- matics-Astronomy-Discovery of new Planets- Neptune-Leverrier and Adams-Discoveries in Electricity and Magnetism-Electric Telegraph-Meteo- rology-The Tides-Section B, Chemistry and Mineralogy-Prevailing Ignorance of Chemistry-Agricultural Chemistry-Liebig and the British Association- Photography-Section C, Geology-Its economical Applications-Sir Roderick Murchison, and the Discovery of Gold in Australia-High Claims of Geology- Section D, Zoology and Botany-Cuvier-Progress of Zoology-Its Importance -Pisiculture-Botanical Science-Subsection Physiology-Section E, Geography and Ethnology-Dr. Livingston's Researches-Canada-Great Pacific Railway- Ethnology-Labours of Missionaries-Section F, Mechanical Science-Lord Rosse's Address-Investigations carried on by the British Association-Use of Steam Power in Agricultural Districts-The Great Eastern-Section F, Economic Science and Statistics-Value of Statistical Science-Change of Name Present State of Scientific Education in England-Change in the Universities-In- fluence of His Royal Highness Prince Albert-The Oxford Museum-Scientific Instruction in our Public Schools-Middle Class Education-College of Preceptors -Mechanics' Institutes-Dr. Booth on "Examination the Province of the State "-Examination of Society of Arts-University Local Examinations- Science and Art Department--School of Mines-Geological Survey-Minute of Council-South Kensington Museum-Schools of Art-Benefits bestowed by British Association-Unity of Action desirable-Science the Handmaid of Christian Civilization-Infidelity-High Value of Christian Civilization PAGE THE HANDBOOK OF THE British Association for the Advancement of Science. CHAPTER I. Science an important Element in National Progress-Rapid Growth of Scientific Discovery-The Age of Bacon-Rise of Scientific Societies— The Royal Society-Principle of Voluntary Association-Evils of Centralization-Mirabeau's Opinion of England's Strength-Theoretical Science-Importance of Scientific Instruction-Deficiencies in English Education for all Classes-Classical Knowledge not the Key to Scientific Progress-Consequence of Ignorance-Indifference of Government to Science and its Cultivators-Neglect of Watt-Arago's Eloge of Watt-Losses incurred through Ignorance of Science-in Agriculture-Defective Education for the Sons of Agriculturists—the late Earl of Leicester—his Improvements in Advance of his Age. "In a national or universal point of view, the labour of the savant or speculative thinker is as much a part of production, in the very narrowest sense, as that of the inventor of a practical art; many such inventions having been the direct consequences of theoretic discoveries, and every extension of knowledge of the powers of nature being fruitful of applications to the purposes of outward life. * * No limit can be set to * the importance, even in a purely productive and material point of view, of mere thought. Intellectual speculations must be looked upon as a most influential part of the productive labour of society, and the portion of its resources employed in carrying on and remunerating such labour as a highly productive part of its expenditure." MILLS'S "Political Economy." WHEN reviewing the material progress of a great nation, it becomes a matter of high importance to ascertain, what have been the elements which have most contributed to a successful development of its resources; and the question will naturally arise, as to the nature of those which will tend most to advance a further progress of the highest order. The subject assumes a still deeper interest, when considered with reference B to the influence exercised by the Anglo-Saxon race over the whole earth; an influence which we believe to be associated with the fulfilment of the designs of Divine Providence, for the Christian civilization of the world, and consequently to be fostered and cherished by those to whom it is committed, as a talent surpassing in value any that has ever been entrusted to a Christian people. In the present day, when "science has created resources unheard of before, and has removed the local barriers opposed to industry, and when we are rapidly approaching to, if we have not yet arrived at, the period of wonderful transition, when nations must speedily acquire the levels due to these different amounts of intellectual development, when competition in industry becomes a competition in intellect, when the nation most quickly promoting the intellectual development of its artisans must, by an inevitable law, advance, whilst the country neglecting its industrial training, must as inevitably recede ;"* we think we are right in indicating the steady pursuit of abstract science, and the intellectual and industrial training of all classes of our population, as objects of the highest importance to our country, viewed as elements, not only in her material progress, but to enable her to realize and carry out all those enterprises of Christian philanthropy, which it is alike her glory, and her privilege to originate. It has been remarked, by one of the most eminent scientific men of the present day, that "Providence has placed this nation in a position in which the very condition of its existence seems to be progression." + Nations, as with nature, know no pause in progress and * Dr. Lyon Playfair on the study of Abstract Science. + Dr. Daubeny, F.R.S., on the Application of Science to Agriculture. |