his circumnavigation of the earth; his proof that scurvy,
the curse of long sea-voyages, may be avoided by the use of vegetable
substances; the polar expeditions; the determination of the density of
the earth by Maskelyne's experiments at Scheliallion, and by those
of Cavendish; the discovery of the planet Uranus by Herschel; the
composition of water by Cavendish and Watt; the determination of the
difference of longitude between London and Paris; the invention of
the voltaic pile; the surveys of the heavens by the Herschels;
the development of the principle of interference by Young, and his
establishment of the undulatory theory of light; the ventilation
of jails and other buildings; the introduction of gas for city
illumination; the ascertainment of the length of the seconds-pendulum;
the measurement of the variations of gravity in different latitudes; the
operations to ascertain the curvature of the earth; the polar expedition
of Ross; the invention of the safety-lamp by Davy, and his decomposition
of the alkalies and earths; the electro-magnetic discoveries of Oersted
and Faraday; the calculating-engines of Babbage; the measures taken
at the instance of Humboldt for the establishment of many magnetic
observatories; the verification of contemporaneous magnetic disturbances
over the earth's surface. But it is impossible, in the limited space at
my disposal, to give even so little as a catalogue of its Transactions.
Its spirit was identical with that which animated the Accademia del
Cimento, and its motto accordingly was "Nullius in Verba." It proscribed
superstition, and permitted only calculation, observation, and
experiment.

INFLUENCE OF SCIENCE. Not for a moment must it be supposed that in these
great attempts, these great Successes, the Royal Society stood alone.
In all the capitals of Europe there were Academies, Institutes, or
Societies, equal in distinction, and equally successful in promoting
human knowledge and modern civilization.

THE ECONOMICAL INFLUENCES OF SCIENCE.

The scientific study of Nature tends not only to correct and ennoble
the intellectual conceptions of man; it serves also to ameliorate his
physical condition. It perpetually suggests to him the inquiry, how he
may make, by their economical application, ascertained facts subservient
to his use.

The investigation of principles is quickly followed by practical
inventions. This, indeed, is the characteristic feature of our times. It
has