1 SEPTEMBER 1838, Page 3

The British Association closed its sittings at Newcastle on Satur-

day; when there was a general meeting in the Central Exchange, the Duke of Northumberland in the chair. Several new members were elected; and it was announced that the next meeting of the Associa- tion would be at Birmingham, the day of assembling to be fixed in due time by the Council in London. The Reverend Vernon Har- court is to be President ; the Marquis of Northampton, the Earl of Dartmouth, Dr. Robinson, and Mr. John Currie, to be Vice-Presi- dents. The total number of tickets issued at Newcastle exceeded those of any previous year, and, with the sale of books, brought the sum of 2.4101. 10s. into the coffers of the Association. The routine business having been concluded, the Marquis of Northampton came forward to address the meeting

He was almost tempted in that mixed assembly to depart from the general sale, and address them as "ladies and gentlemen,' for he saw the answer of the gettlemen reflected in the bright eyes of the ladies. After stating its connexion with so many objects of art and manufacture, he said he was not surprised that an assoiation whose sole object was to give that support so necessary for the adnueement of those things should be received in the manner it had been. He bad heard, and heard with pain, certain reports, which he was sure could not nit there, that human knowledge was opposed to knowledge of a more sacred description. They bad heard this stated with regard to the only science to which he could have any pretensions—the science of geology. But they bad come to a place where there were practical geologists long before the formation of the British Association, and before the term geology was known ; for what were miners but practical geologists ? and when he looked around and saw the lumber of churches and the number of beautiful buildings erected to the glory qtiod. he could not imagine that such eircumstancee were opposed to the belief afeeligiun; but he could imagine it was a study that would lead them to the

contemplation of the great works of nature. He could not help regretting the absence of the President ; acid he begged the gentlemen of the Association to put the best construction they could upon the conduct of the officere elected, for their duties were very arduous: I r himself, he knew how weak his ability was, but he would serve thetn to the best of his power. It would be his pride to act under such a President as Mr. Harcourt, who, along with Sir David Brewster, might be considered the originator of the Association.

He concluded with moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor of New- castle and his lady, and the Corporation, for the kind manner in which the members of the Association had been welcomed. The motion was carried by acclamation. Thanks were also voted to the Duke of Northumberland and the Bishop of Durham, who bad engaged to found a Professorship of Civil Engineering in the University of Durham.

The distinguished persons who took part in the proceedings of the Association were—the Duke of Northumberland, the Bishop of Dur- ham, the Marquis of Northampton, Sir Charles Lemon, Sir John Herschel, Professor Sedgwick, Mr. Babbage, Mr. Lyell, Professor Whewell, Sir David Brewster, Dr. Robinson of Dublin, Mr. John Taylor, Sir William Jardine, Colonel Sykes, Dr. Buckland, and Pro- fessor Bache of Philadelphia.