11 



scientific bodies, of directing, in some degree, the at- 

 tention of the Society to those subjects which have 

 been recommended for experiment or inquiry, by the 

 meetings of the British Association. 



The point which will demand most serious atten- 

 tion on the part of the Council to be elected this day, 

 is the alteration which has taken place in the prospects 

 of the Society, in consequence of the recent establish- 

 ment of an Institution in this town, much more popu- 

 lar in its constitution, embracing many of the objects 

 of the older Society, and offering, at a much lower 

 rate, most of the same advantages, — for the liberal 

 access which is afforded to the stores of our Museum, 

 certainly diminishes the pecuniary value of that pri- 

 vilege. It is impossible to view with any other feelings 

 than those of good will, any Institution whose object 

 is to promote the mental cultivation of the commu- 

 nity: only there are interests which it is the duty of 

 the Council to protect; and it is not too much to say, 

 that if the resources of the Leeds Philosophical and 

 Literary Society were to be diminished, and its ope- 

 rations confined within closer limits, the cause of 

 science would, locally at least, suffer material detri- 

 ment. The liberality, however, which this Society 

 has ever experienced from its individual members, 

 leaves no room to doubt that they will readily adopt 

 any reasonable means of invigorating its exertions, of 

 extending its utility, and of perpetuating its harmoni- 

 sing influences. 



