FOUR-AND-TWENTY years ago, the British Association for the Advancement of Science held its first meetings in the city of York. The recent meetings of that distinguished body were held, towards "the end of September, in the town of Liverpool. In the interval, the annual gatherings of the promoters and patrons of science have taken place in the chief towns and cities of the empire. Edinburgh and Glasgow have vied with Oxford and Cambridge in giving substantial encouragement to the National Institute; while Dublin and Cork were not a whit behind Manchester and Liverpool in the kindness of their reception, and the sincerity of their admiration. Bristol, Birmingham, Hull, Ipswich, Newcastle, Plymouth, Southampton, and Swansea, besides those cities already named, have each honoured the association with a warm and generous welcome; and (might it not be added?) have equally honoured themselves by so doing. Speaking from some little observation and experience, we should say that these re-unions are felt alike by cities and association, to be mutually a privilege and an honour.

Some eminent men have stood aloof from the association, and some organs of public opinion have spoken lightly, if not contemptuously, of its organisation and objects; but, from its commencement, it has received the confidence of philosophers, and men of science generally, and commanded the approbation and good services of the press.

Whatever may have been the case in the past, we are safe in affirming, that in the present time, almost every British philosopher stands in some friendly relationship to the association; and every organ of public opinion is loud in its praise. This must be extremely gratifying to those distinguished men, now veterans in the service of science, to whom it owes its existence. The proposal to establish such an institution sprung out of a discussion on the state of science in Britain, which was carried on for some years previous to 1830. In the October of that year, Sir David Brewster, in an article on Mr Babbage's work, entitled, 'Reflections on the Decline of Science in England, and on some of its Causes,' which appeared in the 'Quarterly Review,' discussed the question in a mas

terly manner, and submitted certain remedies for the universally acknowledged evil, and concluded by suggesting an AsSOCIATION for the development and application of the proposed remedial measures. Early in the year 1831, Sir David communicated his plan to the Philosophical Society of York. The following letter, after some correspondence with the party, was addressed to Mr John Phillips, secretary to that society:—

Allerly, by Melrose, Feb. 23, 1831. 'Dear Sir, I have taken the liberty of writing you on a subject of considerable importance. It is proposed to establish a British Association of men of science, similar to that which has existed for eight years in Germany, and which is now patronised by the most powerful sovereigns in that part of Europe. The arrangements for the first meeting are now in progress, and it is contemplated that it shall be held in York, as the most central city of the three kingdoms. My object in writing to you at present is, to beg that you would ascertain if York will furnish the accommodation necessary for so large a meeting, which might perhaps consist of above 100 individuals; if the Philosophical Society would enter zealously into the plan; and if the mayor, and influential persons in the town and in the vicinity, would be likely to promote its objects. The principal objects of the society would be to make the cultivators of science acquainted with each other— to stimulate one another to new exertions to bring the objects of science before the public eye-and to take measures for advancing its interests, and accelerating its progress. The society would possess no funds, make no collections, and hold no property; the expense of each anniversary meeting being defrayed by the members who are present. As these few observations will enable you to form a general opinion of the object in view, I shall only add, that the time of meeting which is likely to be most convenient, would be about the 18th or 25th of July.-I am, &c.,

'D. BREWSTER.'

The plan submitted by Sir David was highly approved of by the Philosophical Society; and on the 26th September, 1831, the new ASSOCIATION was inaugurated

by a public meeting, held under the most favourable auspices. Instead of 100, according to the original calculation, there were upwards of 350 persons enrolled as members of the association; and among these there stood the names of such men as Lord Milton, Sir D. Brewster, Sir R. Murchison, Dr Dalton, Dr Henry, Dr Scoresby, Dr Daubeny; Professors J. D. Forbes, Johnston, Phillips, Potter, &c. At this meeting, it was arranged that reports should be prepared, against the time when the association should re-assemble at Oxford in 1832, on the following subjects, by the persons whose names are attached:-Progress of Astronomy during the present century, Professor Airy.—On the Tides, W. Lubbock.-On Meteorology, Professor Forbes.-On Radiant Heat, Professor Powell.-Thermo-Electricity, Professor Cumming.-Optics, Sir D. Brewster. -Mineralogy, Professor Whewell.-Geology, Rev. W. D. Conybeare.-Chemical Science, Professor Johnston.-On the History of the Human Species, Dr Prichard.

We have been thus minute, that the reader might have an accurate idea of the origin of the British Association, and the important objects it has, from the beginning, sought to accomplish. This was the more necessary, as some statements we have observed in recent publications were somewhat apart from the truth, and calculated to mislead.

In attending the meetings held in Liverpool in September last, certain reflections forced themselves upon our minds, to which we must be allowed, even here, to give brief utterance. The first thing that struck us was the large-in some instances, the very large numbers of both sexes who attended the meetings, both sectional and general, and the eager interest manifested in the proceedings. From the statement made by Professor Phillips, at the concluding meeting, we learn, that no fewer than one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one persons attended the meetings held in Liverpool -the largest number, we believe, that ever were enrolled in one year on the books of the association. The rate of progress has been very great-great beyond the most sanguine expectations. Of that number there were

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The sum paid by a life member is £10, and this gives him a right to a copy of all the reports and publications issued by, as well as renders him eligible to, all the offices in connection with the association. Annual members pay £2 entry-money; and, by an additional annual payment of £1, regularly-whether present at the meetings or not—they secure the same advantages as the life member. The associate pays £1, and is a member for the season only, with no other advantages than the very great one--namely, that of attending the current series of meetings. It does not always happen, as in the present instance, that the associates are the majority; but, when the meetings are held in large cities, it is generally found to be the case. This fact tells favourably on the growing intelligence of the people, and their increasing appreciation of scientific pursuits. The utility of science, and the practical bearing of the British Association on its advancement, is thus, year by year, attested, by the presence of many who are engaged in trade and commerce, and whose time is far too precious to be wasted on that in which they have no particular interest, and which does not, in some way or other, contribute to their advantage.

Another thing that struck us very forcibly, was the practical character of many of the communications, and the no less practical turn the discussions on those communications invariably took. There were, indeed, many high and difficult questions introduced, and some startling theories mooted, as one might expect on such an occasion; but even in discussing these themes, utility was seldom lost sight of.

Very appropriately, many papers placed before the sections had a close and important bearing on the interests of such a commercial community as that of Liverpool. There were geographical discoveries detailed, thus opening new fields for the spirit of enterprise; the mode of sailing by 'great circles' was demonstrated, thus effecting a saving, in many cases, of a third of the time, and, consequently, a considerable portion of the expense, in traversing the ocean; suggestions in magnetism and the compass were freely offered, whereby life and property, when exposed to the mercy of the winds and waves, might be rendered more secure. Then there were other themes of universal interest, such as the statistics of pauperism and crime, the great coinage question, &c. &c.

of matter than with the busy concerns of men; and if I attempted now to assume, for the first time, the philosophic garb, I am afraid that the awkwardness of my gait would soon betray me. There are, however, some points of high and general interest which, in a meeting like the present, cannot be entirely neglected, and in regard to which the kindness of friends has supplied me with some matter not unworthy of being submitted to your notice. How, for instance, in the land of Newton, and in the greatest sea-port of the world, should I neglect astronomy?'

The noble president then read various memoranda furnished by Professor Challis and Captain Fitzroy: that by the former, on the present state of Astronomy; that by the latter, on Meteorology-interspersing them with original reflections on various subjects. We can give only the merest outline of these interesting documents, and are under the necessity, also, of greatly condensing the president's own remarks:

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'Since the meeting of the British Association last year,' says Professor Challis, four planets and four comets have been discovered. Three of the new planets were found at Mr Bishop's observatory, two by Mr Hind, and one by Mr Maith. This last was also discovered the following night at the Oxford Observatoryanother of the many instances presented by astronomy of independent discoveries made nearly simultaneously. The fourth planet was found at the observatory of Bilk, near Dusseldorf, by Mr R. Luther, an astronomer distinguished by having already discovered two planets. Of the comets, one was discovered at Berlin, two at Gottingen, and the fourth was seen very generally with the naked eye at the end of last March. None of them have been identified with preceding comets.

'The large number of planets and comets discovered of late years, while it evinces the diligence of astronomers, has, at the same time, brought additional labourers into the field of astronomical science, and contributed materially to its extension. The demand for observations created by these discoveries, has been met by renewed activity in existing observatories, and has led to the establishment, by public or private means, of new observatories.

'In addition to the advantages just stated, the observations called for by the discovery of new bodies of the solar sys

tem have drawn attention to the state of stellar astronomy, and been the means of improving this fundamental part of the science. The following are a few words on the existing state of stellar astronomy, so far as regards catalogues of stars. Subsequently to the formation of the older catalogues of bright stars, astronomers turned their attention to observations in zones, or otherwise of smaller stars, to the ninth magnitude inclusive. Lalande, Lacaille, Bessel, Argelander, and Lamont, are the chief labourers in this class of observations. But these observations, unreduced and uncatalogued, are comparatively of little value. The British Association did great service to astronomers, by reducing into catalogues the observations of Lalande and Lacaille. A catalogue of part of Bessel's zones has been published at St Petersburg, and a catalogue of part of Argelander's zones at Vienna. Lamont's zones have also been reduced in part by himself. The above are the catalogues which are principally used in the observations of the small planets, and of comets. This class of observations must generally be made by means of stars as fixed points of reference. The observer selects a star from a catalogue, either for the purpose of finding the moving body, or for comparing its position with that of the star; but, from the imperfection of the catalogue, it sometimes happens that no star is found in the place indicated by it; and in most cases, unless the star's place has been determined by repeated meridian observations, it is not sufficiently accurate for final reference of the position of the planet or comet. In catalogues reduced from zone observations, the star's right ascension generally depends on a single transit across a single wire, and its declination on a single bi- ́ section. This being the case, astronomers have begun to feel the necessity of using the catalogue places of stars provisionally, in reducing their observations, and of obtaining afterwards accurate places by meridian observations.

'It will be seen by this statement, that, by the observations of the small planets and of comets, materials are gradually accumulating for the formation of a more accurate and more extensive catalogue of stars than any hitherto published. The British Association would add greatly to the benefits it has already conferred on astronomical science, by promoting the