52 VIENNA GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. [Feb. 25, 1856. 



his natural tastes. But in countries where intellectual life is highly 

 developed, many tilings may be accomplished by means of associated 

 exertions which afe totally beyond the reach of single individuals. 

 Hence it is that the Imperial motto " Viribus unitas " has become a 

 magic spell by which so many great and salutary measures have been 

 recently called to light in Austria. Among these is the Imperial 

 Academy of Sciences at Vienna. By its establishment a period is left 

 behind, in which few scientific labourers are alone to be found, isolated 

 and scattered here and there like so many oases over the face of a desert. 

 There is now a greatly-increased activity both in Geography and 

 Geology, — so much so that it has become incumbent on Austria to take 

 steps for extending her connections as far as possible, and in every 

 direction. It is true that there already exist in Vienna a Military Geo- 

 grapl deal Institute for making Maps, and a Director-General of a depart- 

 ment for the Survey of Lands subject to Taxes. Levelling operations are 

 going on for the construction of railroads, roads, and canals. Astro- 

 nomical observations are spread over the whole empire. A special 

 Institute is ramified in every direction, which takes care of Meteorology 

 and Terrestrial Magnetism; and thelmperial Academy of Sciences is the 

 centre of the whole scientific movement within the Austrian monarchy. 

 But there remains a special aiin for the Vienna Geographical Society, 

 namely, to take notice of the progress of geographical discovery in 

 general, and particularly to keep alive the well-deserved interest for their 

 compatriots who, constantly or temporarily, live in remote regions — 

 whether for commercial enterprise, scientific progress, or in propagating 

 the sacred tenets of Christian faith. 



No sphere of action is more extended than that of a traveller ; and 

 he may justly expect to find within his country a centre from which his 

 exertions are attentively followed, his successes cheerfully hailed, and 

 his connections at home kept alive, to be renewed again on his return. 



Professor Haidinger subsequently defines the object of the new Society 

 as being " a voluntary centre of union for Geographical Interests" — 

 voluntary as being open to all who are willing to declare their adhesion, 

 and including under the term Geographical Interests every branch of 

 natural science so far as they are connected with Geography, or may be 

 subservient to the clearing up of Geographical questions. 



Subsequently to the address, matters of business were proceeded with. 

 The yearly contribution to the new Society was fixed at ten shillings 

 (five florins), and preparatory meetings were arranged on the first 

 Saturdays of the four ensuing months, to discuss rules and to receive 

 communications upon Geographical subjects. 



In the course of his address. Professor Haidinger showed at con- 

 siderable length, the very favourable results that had followed the forma- 



