108 



. The diversity of pursuits of our different mem- 

 bers might, at first view, appear likely to militate 

 against that general interest which every subject, 

 submitted to our consideration, ought to ex- 

 cite among us ; but experience has shown the 

 contrary to be the case. The various essays 

 which have been read at our table, have been 

 listened to, by every class of auditors, with an 

 attention fully confirming the truth of Cicero's 

 observation that the Arts are linked together 

 as by a chain, and are united by a kindred feeling 

 in one common cause. " Etenim omnes artes, 

 " quae ad humanitatem pertinent, habent quod- 

 " dam commune vinculum, et quasi cogriatione 

 " quadam inter se continentur." Assuming then 

 that we are right, in requiring no other qualifica- 

 tion for admission into our Society than respecta- 

 bility of character, and in placing reliance on the 

 implied love of science which it is fair to infer 

 must be possessed by those who manifest a 

 desire to become members of our Institution, it 

 only remains for us to consider whether the 

 mode of conducting the business of our ordinary 

 meetings be capable of improvement, so as more 

 effectually to promote the objects of the Society, 

 and to secure its permanence. 



The agency through which societies like ours 

 are made to operate advantageously, consists in 

 a properly regulated excitement of the rational 



