anywhere. But if, within the sound of my voice, there is an officer who has derived comfort from it while on duty at the outposts in a cold night, if there is a mariner present, who, as he paces the deck, under cover of darkness and the storm, has found solace in this same fragrant weed, — they will excuse me, I am sure, for reminding them that they are indebted to America for tobacco.

It is not probable that we have reached the limit of the beneficial exchanges of this kind between the two hemispheres. It is not unlikely that, in the vast regions of America as yet wholly unsettled, partially explored, there may be vegetable products of great value, with which we are as yet unacquainted. It is not at all unlikely that in the west of Europe new articles of human food will be brought forward in the progress of husbandry; as new flowers are daily introduced into our conservatories. And it is in the highest degree probable that, in proportion as the recesses of China and the East in general are penetrated, we shall find fruits, grains, and seeds unknown to us as yet, of great value, and capable of being naturalized into our fields and gardens. This remark holds particularly in reference to China and the United States, whose climate, under the same local conditions, is nearly identical, so that what is indigenous in one country may admit of reproduction in the other. I have, since I came into the hall, been told that there is a clover growing in this neighborhood brought from Affghanistan; a more valuable acquisition, if it succeeds, than the sovereignty of that region. Mr Gwilt has told us of Gama grass, which he thinks could be introduced to advantage. Thus we hear in the county of Essex of a new clover from Central Asia, and a new grass from the slopes of the Andes.

While you are thus turning your attention to the remotest regions, our farmers are also endeavoring to derive benefit from the observation of other countries, particularly of this. There is now in England a highly accomplished American agriculturist, known, I doubt not, to some gentlemen present,*

The late lamented Mr Colman.

who visits this country for the sole purpose of studying its husbandry. Great interest is felt at home in the success of his inquiries, and I doubt not that they will prove of much advantage to our countrymen.

There is one circumstance affecting your husbandry, and closely connected with the state of English society, of which, in my humble opinion, the importance cannot be overrated. I refer to the deep interest taken in rural pursuits by the persons of greatest consideration and influence, from those of the very highest rank in the country down through all the gradations of social life. Instead of concentrating its vitality in a metropolis, as is so much the case on the other side of the channel, the strength and the substance of England are in the country. It is here, far more than in city life, that the orders of society, though strongly marked in your ancient monarchy, are brought into close and friendly connection with each other. The direct benefit which accrues to rural pursuits is great, but it is not the only nor chief advantage of this state of things. It binds your population together by the interchange of good offices; and contributes, in a great degree, — if you will pardon the expression of an opinion on this subject from a foreigner, to the stability of your country.

And this reflection, gentlemen, brings me, by natural association of ideas, before I take my seat, to the discharge of a duty which, I dare say, our noble chairman would rather I should leave unperformed. I could not, however, neglect it, without injustice to my own feelings, and equal injustice, I know, to yours. Though I have been but a short time in this neighborhood, yet what I have seen and heard convinces me how much it is indebted to the kindly relations which exist between it and the worthy nobleman in the chair. I need not say that nothing is more conducive to the welfare of a community like this than the example, sympathy, and efficient coöperation of men like his lordship, belonging to a class whose influence for good or for evil is so powerful. In which direction his influence is thrown, it would be an affront to this company to think it necessary to say; and I feel myself honored in being their organ in an expression of respect

and gratitude to himself and family. I am particularly anxious to include in the toast, which I shall have the honor to propose to you, the health of the distinguished lady, with whose company we were favored at the distribution of the prizes this morning, and whom we saw engaged with so much unaffected interest in the business of the day. I think I could not be mistaken as to the visible and kindly effect of her presence, even on this single occasion; others can bear witness to the happy influence of a life of active Christian beneficence. I should invade the sanctity of domestic life. if I should go there, as I might else do, for other titles to your respectful and affectionate consideration.

Mr Everett concluded his remarks by proposing a toast in honor of Lord Braybrooke and his family.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION AT CAMBRIDGE.*

AT the conclusion of the discourse of Sir John F. W. Herschel, president of the association for the year, Mr Everett rose at the request of the committee of arrangements, and spoke as follows:

I shall be readily believed when I say that I rise under some embarrassment, at the request of the officers of the association, to address a few words to the assembly, which I do without premeditation, or any expectation, till I entered the hall, of being called upon. If that distinguished philosopher, who has just taken his seat, felt it necessary to say that he was prepared to address the meeting only from written notes, with how much diffidence must I present myself before an audience like this, without any preparation whatever. But the few remarks which I have to offer you are of a character that needs no premeditation, and implies no effort; they will come from the fulness of the heart. I rise to propose a vote to the meeting, in which I am sure every one present will be gratified to join. I mean a vote of thanks to the illustrious president of the association, who has just delighted and instructed us by his masterly discourse.

I deeply regret, gentlemen, that there is no man of science from the United States present to perform this pleasing duty, and who would have been able to do it in a more appropriate manner. But though I have no claim to speak to you as a man of science, I can state with great confidence that, in

Remarks made in the Senate House of the university at the general meeting of the British Association for the Promotion of Science, in the evening of the 19th of June, 1845.

proposing a vote of thanks to Sir John Herschel, I am fairly and fully representing the men of science in my own country. I feel that I am doing no injustice to any other eminent and honored name, when I say that, in the estimation of my countrymen, the name of Herschel stands among the first of the living men of science. From the time of the worldrenowned father "who gave the lyre of heaven another string," and brought a star, which for ages had shone without being particularly noticed in the firmament, into the great solar family as one of its primary members, — a star whose majestic orbit has not been completed since its planetary character was discovered, from his time to that of the still more distinguished son, the name of Herschel has been as familiarly known in America as in Europe. If our illustrious president would visit the western, as he has the southern, hemisphere, if he would cross the ocean to the new continent, as he has visited the southern extremity of the old continent, in his ardent pursuit of science, I can assure him that instead of being left alone with his stars, his southern cross and magellanic clouds, he would find himself surrounded by men who would look upon him with admiration, — men whose own researches would enable them to appreciate his, and who would listen with well-prepared minds to his instructions.

There was one topic in the president's address in reference to which I feel authorized to promise the coöperation of the men of science of the United States, I mean the simultaneous observation of magnetic and meteorological phenomena. The efforts made in this kingdom and on the continent of Europe for the establishment of a series of observations of this kind have been cordially seconded in America. I have myself had the pleasure of putting into the hands of Sir John Herschel the observations made at Cambridge, in New England. I hold, too, in my hand, the answer of Professor Loomis, of New York, to the circular of Colonel Sabine, which contains a sentence or two so apposite, that I think the company will be pleased to hear an extract.