14 



and a great disparity between its actual achievements, and 

 their ardent wishes and expectations. They are satisfied 

 that it possesses within itself capabilities of a higher degree 

 of prosperity than has ever yet been contemplated ; that, in 

 extent of information, diversity of talent, facilities of observ- 

 3jion, and incitements to inquiry, few societies, of the same 

 nature, can boast equal resources. They would indulge the 

 hope, that your past exertions are to be considered but the 

 indistinct pledge of efforts incomparably more worthy and 

 illustrious ; that, subdued by the sovereign charms of science, 

 you will think no sacrifice too great, no labours too arduous, 

 for her advancement ; that, ambitious for the honour of your 

 native town, you will be anxious that its intellectual interests 

 should rise commensurately with its augmenting wealth and 

 importance, and that, conscious of the accumulating obliga- 

 tions which it has already incurred in those respects to the la- 

 bours of Philosophy, which have indeed constituted the secret 

 energy of its commercial success, you will avail yourselves 

 of every means of testifying your gratitude, by consecrating 

 some portion of your time and talents, and a few of the pro- 

 ducts of your exuberant prosperity, to enlarge the boundaries 

 of Sjcience itself. There is not only a duty, but the most re- 

 fined pleasure, in the cultivation and reciprocation of know- 

 ledge ; and it is the only pleasure suitable to the character 

 of a 3^ational being, and consistent with its lofty destination. 

 The term of human existence is too short, to be wasted by 

 the passing frivolities of sense, or absprbed in the restless 

 pursuits of a mere ordinary and and secular ambition. He 

 only is the genuine Philosopher, who employs it for the nobler 

 purposes of invigorating those "high capacious powers," witji 

 which he is so transcendantly endowed and benevoleptly en- 

 trusted ; and who makes his own attainments in knowledge, 

 ihowever inconsiderable, subservient, in their humble measure, 

 flPttHe happiness and illumination of those around him. 



