268 MR. DONALDSON SELBY's ADDRESS. 



gularity than I have been able to do, as those expressed by 

 several of my predecessors in this chair. But it is not plea- 

 sure alone which we seek in our walks and wanderings. The 

 object and intention of the Club have been beautifully and 

 graphically described in the Addresses of some of our former 

 and earliest Presidents, to which I would direct the attention 

 of all, and more particularly that of our more recently elected 

 members, who may probably not have had an opportunity of 

 seeing them, and could not have had the gratification of 

 hearing them delivered. Therein they will see it demon- 

 strated how truly it may be said of science in general, and 

 of the science of Natural History in all its departments in 

 particular, that — 



" Its ways are ways of pleasantness. 

 And all its paths are peace." 



To a mind agitated and harassed by the toils of a profession, 

 or the labours incident to the performance of public duties, 

 and the transaction of private business, what can be more 

 restorative or grateful than such relaxations as these genial 

 and cheerful meetings afford ? The utility of our pursuits is 

 as unquestionable as their innocency, and it has been well 

 said, that " The Deity has never affixed pleasure (in its true 

 sense) to any sublunary pursuit, that is unsuitable to the 

 dignity and condition of man.'' 



If the cultivation of the abstract and pure sciences has the 

 effect of calming the mind of man, how much more easily 

 and pleasantly are we influenced by the contemplation of the 

 beautiful and perfect works of Nature. Permit me to ex- 

 press a hope that greater encouragement may be given in 

 this kingdom to the cultivation of this department of science 

 than it has hitherto received at the hands of our greater 

 universities and schools ; — that Natural History may be made 

 a regular branch of education in all schools and seminaries 

 of sound learning, not only because it has a tendency to make 

 devotional feelings habitual to the student of Nature, but be- 

 cause it exercises his observant and reflective powers, sharp- 

 ens hisfaculty of discrimination, excites his curiosity, gratifies 

 a taste for beauty and ingenuity of contrivance, and furnishes 

 a source of pure and exhaustless enjoyment. What then can 



