168 NOTICES OF LECTURES. 



wonderful. This instrument discovers to our view system on 85'3tem, worlds on 

 worlds, beyond the power of the imagination to conceive. The number of the fixed 

 stars is shewn to be beyond all estimate, and yet the niunber seen, by the aid of the 

 best instrument, must be but a small fraction of the whole. And as we see that over 

 the whole of the earth's sm-face nature is continually at work, and nothing created in 

 vain, how great must be, by analogy, the number of beings with which the rest of 

 the grand system is peopled, how vast the amount of created existence ! Having 

 pointed out the soothing and refreshing effect of the study of nature. Dr. H. next 

 proceeded to show how admirably it was calculated to enlighten, inform, and elevate 

 the mind. But in order to derive the full advantage, the mind must be prepared 

 for the pursuit. The effects of scenery on the mind and heart of man was next 

 dwelt upon most eloquently. The love of magnificent scenery engenders and fosters 

 alove of liberty, and confirms us in thehabit of virtue, and by its association excites 

 that ardent love of greatness, in action and sentiment, which characterises a liberal 

 and heroic spirit. How often the influences of scenery have moved to noble deeds. The 

 general analogy between the features of a country and the character of its inhabi- 

 tants, is not entirely supposition. By the charm of combination, scenery, in a 

 variety of ways, appears to partake of our delights or to sympathise in our sorrows ; 

 if cheerful and gay, every field, every flower, every bud are objects of delight. Are 

 our spirits worn down with sorrow, inanimate objects become, as it were, associated 

 with our grief, and are not unfrequently ministering angels of consolation. The 

 wisest and best men, poets, historians, moralists, and philosophers have all been 

 ardent lovers of nature. This point Dr. H. ably illustrated by reference to interesting 

 passages from the works of the most celebrated of both ancient and modern writers, 

 and remarked that poetry especially was highly indebted to nature for the most 

 sublime of her inspirations. Dr. H. summed up the lecture with a high eulogy of 

 nature, as promoting the peace and happiness of mankind, and especially urged upon 

 his auditors the advantages to be derived from the contemplation of the wonders of 

 nature around them. 



December 14. — Mr. H. Bubbill delivered a lecture " On Phonography." For an 

 exposition of the principles of this science, we refer our readers to an article on the 

 subject, in the Miscellany, page 73. 



December 21. — Dr. Gobdon delivered an able lecture "On Structural andPhysio- 

 logical Botany ." The lecture comprised a comprehensive view of the subject, as far 

 as could be entered into in one lecture, which is to be followed by another, when we 

 hope to present our readers with an abstract of the whole, which Dr. G. has kindly 

 offered us. 



Dec. 28. — The Eev. Thos. Stbatten read a paper "On Stone henge," addressed 

 especially to the young. The audience was unusually large; and the lecture 

 manifested considerable research. The subject is not, however, one that falls within 

 the province of our Miscellany, and want of space forbids our giving an abstract of 

 the paper. 



