THE
PETFRITE. VoL . III .
NOVEMBER, 1881 .
No . 24.
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. HE pitiless Editor of the Pctcrite demands from me a paper
T on the late meeting of the British Association in York.
One might imagine, by the bye, that papers enough were read during that meeting to satisfy most people for some time. The expressions "just fifty years ago," "ancient city," "Jubilee," "great success, " and so on, have been heard somewhat commonly of late, so it may be as well if I forbear to state them any more. Now, however, that the flood of enlightenment which dazzled us for a week has passed away, it may be possible to look back with some calmness upon what then seemed so nearly turning our sober heads . But yet even while the demi-gods of science were amongst us, there were not wanting some few misguided cynics, who ventured to express surprise at the wonderful zeal for abstruse knowledge displayed by some of the fair enthusiasts that enlivened the street, the section-room, and still more the soiree . But when will genuine merit and true zeal escape the envious tongue of the detractor ? This, however, and a good deal more in which such words as "humbug " were pretty freely used, is only what they, the cynics, said : I am asked to state here what I think about it. Now, detractors apart, I take it for granted that there never will be any large or wide-spread movement, even for the noblest object, without sham and self-interest becoming mixed up with it, and attracting many to join and support it for their own purposes ; whether it be to amuse themselves, or to share in the credit which prominence in a popular cause confers . We can expect no better, that is, until we arrive at those highly advanced days when our race will enjoy the full benefits of Vril . Till then we must be content ro take the good with the bad, only being carefial that, the balance is on the right side,