Surely, gentlemen, science should precede art—and not art, science. Surely, science, instead of pointing out some discovery, brought out by some mere manipulator, should itself point out the mode in which the particular principle might be applied to the particular object. If, gentlemen, that principle is true at home, is it not with tenfold force true in this country? Assume that all such were based on scientific prinples, I ask what would be the probability of success? I need not enlarge upon those influences, for I have already alluded to them, though briefly.

Look at education, as applied to the youth and to the adult. To the adult, what salutary effects it must produce; it will show him how little he knows and how much remains to be known. What docility and what patience it will require to convince him that amongst the few grains of truth which lie has acquired, there is all extensive sea of error. How much better, therefore, he must be prepared to make allowances for all the errors of his brethren, when he is capable of recognising his own. Observe also, gentlemen, the influence which it is likely to exercise in unfolding the works of the Creator himself, and the praise which, in prosecuting these discoveries, he is involuntarily offering up to the Creator, in the truths which he is unfolding to the world.

Gentlemen, I proposed to have said much more to you, but I feel that, for an inaugural address, instead of writing, I have trusted too much to memory. I thank you for the patience with which you have heard my remarks, and for the honour conferred upon me, as well as the manner in which you have received the toast with which my name has been couples. I trust that when I shall be rendering up an account of my stewardship, you will think I am deserving of as enthusiastic a reception as that which you have now been good enough to accord me.

Royal Society of Victoria