20 Address to the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club. 



clear and interesting manner, the geological structure of the 

 parishes of Eccles, Greenlaw, Polwarth, and Longformacus ; 

 and thus has made a valuable addition to the sketch of the 

 geology of Berwickshire which Mr. Baird has given in the 

 introduction to my Flora, and which had more peculiar 

 reference to the eastern parts. I feel myself unqualified to 

 estimate the merits of this paper; nor is it necessary to enter 

 into any analysis of it here, since it has been printed in the 

 last Number [September, 1832] of the Magazine of Natural 

 History [Vol. V. p. 637—646.]. 



Such, Gentlemen, is a rapid indication of the results of 

 our first year's exertions ; and, in my opinion, they do not 

 discredit, but rather justify, the expectations of those who 

 moved the institution of this club, which, I doubt not, will 

 work still more efficiently in future years. But, when I esti- 

 mate the advantages of our association by the acquisitions it 

 has made to the natural history of the county, I do it great 

 wrong; for I hold it to be more useful, as affording a point 

 of rendezvous for the naturalists of the district, where they 

 may cultivate mutual acquaintance ; where they may talk over 

 their common pursuit and all its incidents ; where they may 

 mutually give and receive oral information ; where each may 

 nourish his neighbour's zeal ; where we may have our " care- 

 less season," and enjoy " perfect gladsomeness : " and, as- 

 suredly, the good feeling and humour which have hitherto 

 characterised, and will continue to characterise, our every 

 meeting, vindicate me in assigning, as the distinctive charac- 

 ter of this club, its social character. 



I cannot, I must not, conclude this address, without an 

 expression of, I trust, our united gratitude to the Preserver of 

 all and the Giver of all good. That fatal disease which has 

 walked over the length and breadth of the land, with fear in 

 its front and mourning in its rear, has not left this county 

 altogether unvisited ; and we cannot yet think of its ravages 

 in the place where we are now assembled, without deep feel- 

 ings of pity for the loss sustained by the survivors, and with- 

 out gratitude that here its desolating course was stayed. No 

 member of the club has been removed by death ; neither has 

 misfortune visited any of us, save only one, who has been 

 afflicted with a severe and lingering sickness, and has, in con- 

 sequence, been hindered giving us that attendance and assist- 

 ance which none was more willing and none more able to 

 give. 



Gentlemen, it is unnecessary to add any plea to induce you 

 to continue your efforts in favour of this club. The pleasure 

 attendant on our pursuits is so pure and genuine, and so 



