meetings. A little consideration will also shew that it 

 is by such means, if at aU, that we are to take any part, 

 as a society, in the advancement as well as in the diffu- 

 sion of knowledge. 



The man of science, properly so called, one who 

 devotes the energies of his mind to the investigation of 

 the laws of nature, or makes the application of them in 

 particular departments the business of his life, will exist 

 independently of local ^associations, will pursue his 

 investigations without their light, will apply his disco- 

 veries without their assistance, and is not likely to be 

 indebted to them for many direct advantages beyond 

 the elementary facilities which they may have afforded 

 his youth or his poverty : it is only in national or 

 metropolitan institutions that he can look for much 

 benefit from an intercourse with feUow-labourers in the 

 same field. Indirectly, indeed, he will be benefited by 

 the enlargement of his views on general subjects, but 

 not so as to assist him materially in advancing the 

 limits of his own particular studies: he is only too 

 happy if he meets with a few spirits sufficiently kindred 

 to appreciate his exertions, and if the body with which 

 he is connected be capable both of receiving and trans- 

 mitting the additions which he makes to the science of 

 the day, it will amply fulfil the most important condi- 

 tions of its establishment, the general diffusion of the 

 newest information, and will enable the ordinary 

 inquirer, if not to keep pace with his leader, at least 

 never to lose sight of him. 



