The British Association met at Dundee on Wednesday, the Duke
of Buccleuch being the new president. The Duke did not deliver a written address; saying that he might have " read an address in flowing language, full of science, full of information, but I could not have pretended that what I read came from myself." That was modest, and probably true, but we think it was a reason against inviting the Duke to preside. Indeed, he admitted that no "bold Buccleuch" among his ancestors had probably ever attempted anything more daring. His address was in a good spirit, especially on the relation between science and religion, but it was not as a whole instructive or coherent. If the British Association thirsted for a peer, why not take the Duke of Argyll, who has some great scientific acquirements ? Hitherto the inaugural addresses of this Association have been among the most interesting and effective addresses of the year. Why do the aristocracy of science go out of their way to yield the place to the aristocracy of rank ? The Duke's scientific point was a modest one,—the advantage of the late Admiral Fitzroy's storm signals, which he wishes to see restored. This was not over bold.
