115 



" this latter is, perhaps, the most important of the 

 u three, both for the interests of society and of 

 " truth." With this advice, and the example of 

 the Geological Society before us, we can have 

 no reason to apprehend any danger from our 

 oral discussions : so long as they are under the 

 regulation of sound judgment and good sense, 

 they must be beneficial ; they not only afford 

 the means of bringing before the Society infor- 

 mation in a detached form, but they furnish an 

 opportunity of cultivating that useful habit, which 

 can only be acquired by practice, of speaking 

 before popular assemblies, without hesitation or 

 embarrassment. We have only to guard our 

 discussions against the introduction of party 

 feelings and personal hostility, as derogatory 

 to the character of our Society, which pro- 

 fesses to have for its object, the calm investiga- 

 tion of truth. 



" Preserve me from the thing I dread and hate, 

 " A duel in the form of a debate ; 

 " The clash of argument, and jar of words, 

 " Worse than the mortal brunt of rival swords, 

 " Decide no question with their tedious length ; 

 " For opposition gives opinion strength." 



Gentlemen, we are now, I trust, on the eve of 

 becoming domiciled in a new and elegant build- 

 ing, which will afford us ample space for all our 

 wants. 



