8 



that greater privacy which their less popular character 

 would seem to court. It is, however, hoped, that there 

 would be but little necessity for this, if students would 

 but dismiss their apprehensions of being thought tedious ; 

 there are doubtless many important inquiries, which, 

 like the lays of the Theban bard, are dull enough to 

 those who are not inspired with a love of the subject; 

 but if they be uninviting to the general taste, it is in 

 most instances only because they are so seldom brought 

 under the general view. Science, in all her various 

 forms, requires only to be seen to be admired. 



In some of the metropolitan Institutions, a system 

 of Conversaziones has been adopted with considerable 

 success, and certainly offers a less formal mode of com- 

 municating many particulars of interest, than is afforded 

 hj the more stately solemnities of a regular essay. A 

 plan of this nature has met with a favourable reception 

 from the retiring Council, and will probably be imme- 

 diately submitted to the consideration of their successors 

 in office. If it be done, it is expedient that it be well 

 done ; it is, therefore, a subject well deserving the atten- 

 tion of the Society at large. 



The recent change in the law respecting Elections 

 having removed all restrictions on the eligibility of 

 retiring Officers, the Members will nevertheless have 

 that due regard to a proper and sufficient circulation 

 of office, which is conducive to the healthy state of 

 all institutions, and which was the object of the sup- 

 porters of the repealed law. The Secretaries will lay 

 before the Society a return of the respective attend- 

 ances of the several Members of the retiring Council, 



