BRITISH ASSOCIATION, an association whose object is, by bringing together men eminent in all the several departments of science, to assist the progress of discovery, and to extend over the whole country the latest results of scientific research. A pre vailing impression that England had fallen behind other countries, both as to the gen eral estimation in which scientific men were held, and the prosecution of science itself, led to its formation. It was thought that an imposing union of men of science with the nobility, gentry, and clergy might tend to revive the philosophic spirit of the country. Such meetings had already taken place in Germany, and probably suggested the idea of this institution. Many leading men of the age took part in its formation, but the honor of being its founder must be ascribed to sir David Brewster. By his exertions the first meeting of those who were favorable to the design was held at York in the year t831. The archbishop of York, the mayor and council of the city, entered warmly into the project. At this meeting the constitution of the society was deter mined, the several sections had their provinces assigned to them, and subjects were proposed on which reports were to be drawn up and read at the ensuing meeting. This took place at Oxford in 1832. The university had cordially welcomed the new associa tion, the papers which were read gave it at once the high character it has since sus tained, and from this date it may be said to have been in complete and successful opera tion. An enumeration of the several sections of the society, each of which has its own committee and president, will show the wide range of topics it embraces: Section A., mathematical and physical science; B., chemistry ; C., geology; D., zoology and bot any, including physiology; E., geography and ethnology; F., economic science and statistics; G., mechanical science.
At the close of each meeting, it is determined at what town in the United Kingdom the next shall be held, and a president of the whole association is appointed, who delivers an inaugural address, in which he is expected to present a general survey of the latest advances of science. The rules and by-laws of the society it is not necessary here to particularize; but it should be mentioned that the subscriptions of a continually increas ing membership have placed at its disposal a large fund, which has been expended in the prosecution of science. In many cases, as in long astronomical calculations, or exten sive meteorological observations, the labor of subordinates is required, and a certain -apparatus, and it is in defraying such expenses that the funds of the B. A. are very wisely employed Besides the Immediate ends sought to be obtained by such an association, its utility will be evident if we reflect on the intimate connection that exists between the several branches of science, and the impossibility there is that any one mind can be thoroughly conversant with them all. He who now hopes to make discoveries in science must limit
himself to a few chosen studies; and yet such is the interlacing of all the several branches of inquiry, that he must often find it indispensable to know the last results of each. The botanist or the physiologist must consult the accomplished chemist; the chemist must call in the aid of those who have specifically studied the action of heat, light, and electricity; the geologist needs them all, and is in turn consulted by all. Thus, a certain brotherhood of science is formed, in which each has his specialty, and yet each leans upon his brother.
In ancient times it was otherwise. The facts on which a philosopher speculated were those which lay open to the eyes of all. A Thales could see the rain fall and plants grow, and forthwith pronounced that the vital energy of all things was to be found in water. He could exercise his imagination in perfect independence of the labor of all other men. The philosopher of modern times cannot move a step without a careful consideration of the theories of his predecessors and contemporaries; he has to take notice of the innumerable facts brought to light by various observers, aided by those artificial arrangements which convert observation into experiment.
Two classes of men, of the most opposite character, are greatly aided by an associa tion such as this. The humble and plodding workmen are taught where their patient industry will most avail; they are cautioned against re-discoveries; they are told where their love of collecting or experimentalizing may be best applied. And that other class of men, who love to generalize, who ever seek to embrace all the multifarious facts of science under a few great laws—these are provided with the very last intelligence from every department of inquiry, and may forthwith proceed to weave it into their own comprehensive scheme. Nor are we to overlook the benefit which the whole community derives from the rapid dissemination of the latest results or speculations of philosophy. Not only do our idle and fashionable, as well as our manufacturing towns and our universities, welcome the meetings of the B. A., but from this Parliament of Science the utterance of scientific opinion goes forth over the whole kingdom through the agency of the press. Within three days after one of its meetings, there is not a workshop or a tea-table in the country that has not derived from it a new topic of conversation. This kindling of an interest in science, through the whole population, we regard as amongst the greatest advantages of the British association.