Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 4.djvu/194

Rh with magnetic inquiry and nautical research. We may therefore hope that, with the blessing of Providence, it will return with a store of knowledge valuable to the geographer, to the geologist, to the me- teorologist, and to him also who studies the marvels of vegetable and animal life. In addition to all this we may hope, that the main ob- ject of the Expedition will be accomplished by additional light thrown on the obscure problems which still attend the magnetism of the earth, and that by such discoveries Captain James Clark Ross may not only add to his own reputation and his country's glory, but also give to the adventurous mariner increased facility and security in traversing the pathways of the ocean.

The Antarctic Expedition was not the only measure recommended by the Royal Society and the British Association to Her Majesty's Government. Another important recommendation, which had pre- viously been brought forward by Baron Humboldt, was the establish- ment of fixed magnetic observatories for the purpose of making si- multaneous observations in different parts of our colonial possessions. These recommendations have been readily acceded to, both by the Government and by the Court of Directors of the East India Com- pany, and probably, ere many months shall have elapsed, the obser- vatories will be in full activity. This ready acquiescence in the wishes of men of science appears to me highly creditable to our statesmen ; and I feel confident, that while science belongs to no party, on the other hand, every party in this country is fully aware of the importance of science, and of the numerous benefits conferred by it on the human race.

I have stated, Gentlemen, that your Council had recourse to the Scientific Committees for assistance in drawing up instructions for the Expedition in different branches of knowledge; those com- mittees, who were named only two years ago, were at first appa- rently more a matter of form than substance ; they have now been found capable of doing excellent service. Not only has your Coun- cil consulted them on the questions already alluded to, but also, observing that the several Committees are composed of the most competent judges of the merits of the memoirs in the respective departments of science communicated to the Society, they have, in general, referred the papers to them to report upon, previously to coming to a decision regarding their publication.

The Royal Society, from its character of pursuing every branch of physical science, is evidently in a different position from other societies professing some one science alone. It may be reasonably expected, that in the Botanical or Geological Society, for instance, the whole Council should possess a certain degree of botanical or geological knowledge. This, however, cannot be the case with us. Our Council will comprise a few astronomers, a few zoologists, a few botanists, and a few persons well acquainted with geology and medicine ; but no single science can monopolize a large number of its members. In difficult questions we have therefore felt that it is more satisfactory to ourselves, and we think probably more so to the general body of the society, and to those who have favoured us