Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 65.djvu/492

488 address would naturally have been the chancellor of the University of Cambridge, the Duke of Devonshire, but owing to the politicalchanges of the last eighteen months the duke and the premier could not very comfortably meet on the same platform. The vote was therefore moved by the vice chancellor and seconded by the lord mayor of Cambridge. In his reply Mr. Balfour acquitted himself admirably, showing not only the ability of a polished speaker, but acknowledging the praise of his address in modest and fitting words.

On the following morning visitors in section A (which in the British Association includes both mathematics and physics) had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Balfour in the opposite rôle, as the mover of a vote of thanks to Professor Lamb after the delivery of his address as president of the section; a part which the prime minister filled with equal grace and skill and with as much seriousness as can be made out of such a naive proceeding as this process must be. Mr. Balfour's presidency of the association was no sinecure. He met all its duties most faithfully and carried out the business of the president with admirable tact. He appeared at the meetings of various sections, took part in the discussions of some of them as in the section of economics, and threw himself heartily into the social duties of the meeting. On the evening of the general reception to the members and visitors given in the splendid halls of Trinity College (Mr. Balfour's own college) he is said to have shaken hands with more than three thousand persons, and up to the last belated guest his smile was as