THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 7

THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

ITS 250 TH ANNIVERSARY. Hundreds of learned men in academic scarlet filled tho cool dark transepts of 'Westminster Abbey on llio morning: oi July 16. They sat, too, in the old stalls, where the sight of so many wiso white beards flowing over coloured garments was eminently picturesque (says the "Manchester Guardian"). It must be many years since so many leadors in science were seen in the Abbey at one time. The service in commemoration of the 250t1i anniversary of the Eoyal Society was short and beautiful, and tho uppermost thought in one's mind was brought out by th': Dean in his sermon when he said fiiat thero would bavii betm something tu startlo our fathers in a national service held to celebrato the victories of natural gcionce. Yet, as we were reminded, ive wore surrounded by tho monuments of great scientists. Newton, one ol' the first members of the Royal Society, looked down upon us. Darwin lies quite near. The scrvioo had a- stroligly marked international character. Delegates l were there from tho-learned bodies of most of the civilised nations. One noted especially the ourioiis' Court or formal dress worn by the Portuguese, with its decoration of green leaves on black, and the blue silk turban of aji Indian aivant shone brightly. Among the bevy of fanlous scientists one remembers noting the astonishingly impressive entrance of Sir James Crichtori Browne, who teemed clothed from head to foot in scarlet. The heads of many of the English universities were present, and thefe were professors of science from Manchester. The eorrico had a befitting dignity. Tho Dean's strong roioo was heard reading the verses in praise of famous moti from Ecclesiasticus, and ono mentally connected the passage with the "illustrious, galaxy of great scientists" buried in the Abbey. The most beautiful t.limg was the singing of Elgar's wonderfully expressive setting of the 48th Psalm. This was altogether exquisite.- Afterwards the collect gave praise "for all those in every ago and clime who have added to tho sum of earthly knowledgo by their discoveries in natural science," and Dean Kyle packed into ten minutes a review oi the relations of science and religion—a short paean of rejoicing over tho peace that has fallen upon tho old war of misunderstandings. "Scienco is truly a.revelor tion," ho said. There was another distinguished gathering at the London Guildhall in. tho evening at tho Royol Society's banquet; Sir Archibald Goikic, tho president, was'supported on either hand b.v Mr. Asquith, tho Prime Minister, and'M. Lipplnann, the president of the French Academy of Science. Mr. Asqnith, who proposed the health of tho society, said the society had had a career of successful and illustrious work. True, the sreiety had not cscapcd criticism n.'.id ridicule; no great, society did. Bill l.hoy all acknowledged that it had justified its existence by its frnit. Tho letlerii "F.J'.P." were one of the, proudest additions which any Englishman felt ho could add to his name, for tho«o letters had always been worthily won by meritorious work.