LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. XXX1U 



versity of London, it being distinctly understood that this permis- 

 sion is to be so exercised as not in any way to interfere with the 

 convenience of the University. 



"Sthly. The collection of portraits belonging to the Eoyal Society 

 to be hung on the walls of the proposed Hall, and to be open to 

 the inspection of the public under such regulations as may be 

 convenient, and subject especially to the provisions in the previous 

 clause. 



" 6thly. That the adoption of this temporary arrangement shall 

 not in any respect be held to weaken the claims of the Royal 

 Society to permanent accommodation. 



" I have the honour to be, &c. &c, 



(Signed) " James Wilson," 

 " To the President of the Royal Society.'" 



The points in this letter to which I have alluded as requiring 

 explanation, are the temporary character of the occupation, and 

 the union of the libraries. With respect to the first, nothing 

 more is intended than that, upon the completion of the larger 

 building, which is as yet only contemplated, our Society, in com- 

 mon with others engaged in the pursuits of science, will have 

 ample accommodation in that building. The intention of the 

 passage which refers to the union of the libraries is understood to 

 be the admission to each library, for the purposes of consultation 

 and perusal, of all the Members of the three Societies ; the privi- 

 lege of borrowing the books being restricted, as at present, to the 

 Members of the Society to which the books respectively belong. 



I cannot take leave of this subject and close my address without 

 expressing my sense of the sincerity and earnestness with which 

 the authorities of the Royal Society have advocated our cause, and 

 the anxious desire they have expressed to commence with us the 

 practical development of the great principle of juxtaposition. To 

 us the success of the present effort is all-important. The immu- 

 nity from rent, the close association with our brethren in scientific 

 pursuits, the approximation of our libraries, and, let me add, the 

 prestige attached to such a locality, must act as a powerful aid to 

 our already growing prosperity, and enable us to carry out, unen- 

 cumbered, our great mission, — the advancement of natural science, 

 with all its advantages, the amelioration of the condition of man, 

 the elevation of his character, intellectual' and moral, and especially 

 the promotion of the glory of the Creator, by extending the know- 

 ledge of his works. 



Linn. Pboc. c 



