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BRITZSH ASSOCiAT~ON-OP~Ni~~'G ADDRESS. 195
or otherwise, but those facts must be analysed, arranged, and
expIained by inductive or deductive processeg, BB nearly MI
possible identical with t,hose vhich hnvo Icd to undoubted
success in other branches of science. 1 have always felt great
gratification that bhe founders of this Association did not in
any narrow spirit restrict its inquiries and discussions to the
domain of physical science. The existence of thia Section is
a standing recognition of tho truth that the condition of tho
people is governed by definite lam, however complicated and
difficult of discovery they may be. It is uo valid roproach
against 11s that wo cannot measure, nnd explain, and predict
with the accuracy of a clmnisrt or nn nstronomcr. Difficult
ns may be the problems presented to the ex~~erimentalist in
his investigntion of Mntcrial Nature, they are easy compared
with the problems of Rnmnn h'aturo, of which wo must
attempt tho solution. I nllow that ou1' knowledgo of the
causes in action is seldom snre and accurate, so ns to present
the appenrnncc of true science.
!t'hero is no one mho occupies n less enviable position than
the Political Economist. Cultivating the frontier regions
between certain knowledge and conjecture, his efforts and
advico are scorned and rejected on all hands. If he arrives at
a sure law of human nature, and points out tho cvils which
arise from its neglect, he is fallen upon by the hrgc classes
of people who think their own common-sense suacient ; fio is
charged with being too abstract in his speculations; with
overlooking tho windings of tho human heart; with undervaluing
the affections. However humane his motives, he is
lucky if he cscnp~ being set, down on all sides as a heartless
misanthrope. Such was actually tho fato of one of tho most
humane and excellent of rncn, tllo latc Mr. bfalthus. On the
other hand, it is onIy the enlightened and wide-minded
scientific men who treat the political economist with any
cardiality. I much fear that,, ns physical philosophers become
more and more saccessful, they tend to become like other
conquerors, arrogant and selfish; they forget the &@urd
out
and look with
0 2
theories, the incredible errore, the long-enduring debates
of which their own knowledge has emerged,