Anniversary address delivered before the Anthropological Society of London, January 3rd, 1866 / by James Hunt.

  • Hunt, James, 1833-1869.
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Anniversary address delivered before the Anthropological Society of London, January 3rd, 1866 / by James Hunt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    some cases, I believe that this opposition has been given to onr de¬ mands for judicious reasons. Older and wiser men than some of ns are of opinion that young societies should fight their way, and make good their position step by step, and snch is onr intention. I have good reason for believing that the adverse votes of some were given rather for the purpose of stimulating ns to increased activitv, than from any desire to injure the cause of our science. I trust it may be eventually seen that this was the true motive for passing the resolution that there should be no special section for the science of man. 1 hope onr foreign associates will take care to make this view of the matter known amongst onr fellow students on the continent. If we look at the matter in this light, we are under deep obligations to the authorities of the British Association. We appreciate their kindness, and thank them for their support. We in England can fully under¬ stand snch motives; but I fear that they may be misunderstood on the continent. I am free to confess, that I for some time thought that the motives for opposing ns were of a different nature; but I am glad now to believe that such may not be the case. We are now con¬ sidered to be on our trial, both as men of science and as a scientific body. I have long been convinced that our position in the British Asso¬ ciation is of little or no consequence, if we only carry out honestly and truly the objects of our society. Let us remember that the British Association for the Advancement of Science forms no part of anthro¬ pological science. We are, as regards that body, mere innovators; and they are perfectly justified in seeing that we make good onr title to admittance before they accede to our demands. We shall best do this by continuing the work w'e have begun. Above all things, we must avoid exhibiting a slavish desire to please the magnates of science, or to court public applause. It is a necessary law, I presume, that all young societies and young sciences should go through a period of trial, and encounter opposition from the masses of society. It is, therefore, not surprising that, during the past year, our young society has been attacked with a virulence and an energy which we could not but admire. Early in the year it became the duty of the Fellows of the Society to discuss the influence of the civilised on the uncivilised man, brought before us by Mr. Winwood lieade, in a paper entitled “On the Influence of Chris¬ tian Missionaries amongst Savages.” The abuse immediately levelled at the Society, by the so-called religious press of this country, was remarkable both for the vehemence of the language employed, and for the hannony which prevailed amongst the oppositionists, who united 6)1 mmse against us. If noise and strong language could have stopped the working of this Society, there was enough of it during tlie time we had the temerity to discuss the influence of missionary labours. An important question arises for our consideration on this subject. Does such a question as the one named come legitimately witliin the sphere of this Society ] I must say a few words on this point, because 1 believe that there are some who consider that such a question is be-