PREFACE. THE HE Tenth Volume of the Journal of the Transactions of the VICTORIA INSTITUTE is now issued; and the best thanks of the Members and Associates are due to the writers of the Papers it contains. It is satisfactory to find the undiminished interest taken in the welfare of the Society by those who, at home and abroad, become its Members and Associates; for with them rests, in no small degree, the future of the Victoria Institute and the accomplishment of its objects. The Institute has ever urged the value of accurate inquiry, rather than conjecture, in the work of elucidating scientific * Let me offer my congratulations to the Society on its present position and prospects, and on the increasing consideration and respect with which its operations are regarded by men capable of judging. It has attracted to itself representatives in the various departments of science, well capable of defending the faith from the attacks of scientific scepticism, and standing so high in their several departments of science or literature, that their opinions must be received with attention and respect. No one also could, I conceive, deny that the philosophical character of the Society has been most severely maintained in all its papers and discussions, and that every theory opposed to the belief of the ordinary Christian philosopher has been treated with the most scrupulous fairness and respect. Personalities have been altogether avoided, and an example has been set of the proper way of conducting such controversies, which will, we may presume, have considerable influence for the avoiding of bitterness and unfairness for the future. (Radcliffe Observer's Address, 1875.) |