11 



which its founders could scarcely have anticipated. 

 Wisely and judiciously excluding those agitating 

 questions, in the discussion of which the brotherly 

 affections of men are torn asunder, it has furnished 

 a refuge to which the mind, wearied with the jar 

 of discordant opinions, may betake itself and find 

 peace. And he who came to the Hall of this 

 Society- merely for the purpose of acquiring scien- 

 tific and literary information has often retired from 

 it, having learned the much more important 

 lesson, to forget in the many points upon which 

 his opinions and interests are identified with those 

 of his fellow townsmen, the few upon which they 

 may be severed: and to entertain friendly feelings 

 towards them, however widely different may be 

 the complexion of their religious or political creeds, . 

 because he has conversed with them face to face, 

 and found them worthy of his esteem. If this 

 advantage has followed in the train of the Leeds 

 Philosophical and Literary Society, its members 

 have abundant cause to exult in their institution ; 

 for in adding to the peace, the prosperity, and 

 the happiness of their native town, it has con- 

 ferred more lasting benefits than would have arisen 

 from the most brilliant discoveries in science, or 

 the most splendid displays of literary talent. 



b2 



