Geographical Collections. 363 



to Syme, and very lately to Captain Dillon, with the splendid results of the jour, 

 nies of Humboldt, Franklin, Parry, and D'Urville. A gentleman, other^vise 

 well qualified as a traveller. Captain Basil Hall, failed entirely in drawing up a 

 compendium of objects for a traveller's inquiry, — in fact, the objects of inquiry in 

 each particular science, should be drawn up by one especially conversant with 

 that branch. Leonhard's Agenda Geognostica is an example in one science ; 

 the same should be done for every branch of natural history, for archaeology, &c. 

 &c. This ground-work being completed, the Society should, upon all occasions, 

 appoint committees out of its own body, to prepare instructions for particular 

 countries or districts, which always present some facts for investigation that do 

 not occur in others, and which may be made the subject of observations, indepen- 

 dent of the general objects. 



With the extensive patronage it Is receiving, we hope the society will not only 

 be generous, but munificent in its rewards ; and we strenuously recommend that 

 not only pecuniary assistance should be aiforded to such travellers as may require 

 it, but that travellers should, if the funds of the society permit it, be sent out to 

 countries which it may be thought desirable and advantageous to explore. We 

 must content ourselves, however, for the present, with curtailing our own re- 

 marks on the objects of this institution, and lay before our readers the printed 

 results of their first meeting. 



" At a numerous meeting of the members of the Raleigh Traveller's Club, and 

 several other Gentlemen, held at the Thatched House, on Monday, the 24th of 

 3Iay, John Barrow, Esq. in the Chair, it was submitted, that among the nu- 

 merous literary and scientific societies established in the British metropolis, one 

 was still wanting to complete the circle of scientific institutions, whose sole ob- 

 ject should be the promotion and diffusion of that most important, useful, and 

 entertaining branch of knowledge. Geography. 



That a new Society might therefore be formed, under the name of the " Geo- 

 graphical Society of London," 



That the interest excited by this department of science is universally felt ; that 

 its advantages are of the first importance to mankind in general, and paramount 

 to the welfare of a maritime nation, like Great Britain, with its numerous and 

 extensive foreign possessions. 



That its decided utility in conferring just and distinct notions of the physical 

 and political relations of our globe must be obvious to every one ; and is the 

 more enhanced by this species of knowledge being attainable without much diffi- 

 culty, while at the same time it affords a copious source of rational amusement. 



That although there is a vast store of geographical information existing, yet it 

 is so scattered and dispersed, either in large books that are not generally acces- 

 sible, or in the bureaus of the public departments, or in the possession of private 

 individuals, as to be nearly unavailable to the public. 



The objects then of such a Society as is now suggested would be, 



1. To collect, register, and digest, and to print for the use of the Members, 

 and the public at large, in a cheap form and at certain intervals, such new, inte- 

 resting, and useful facts and discoveries, as the Society may have in its posses- 

 sion, and may, from time to time, acquire. 



2. To accumulate gradually a library of the best books on Geography — a se- 

 lection of the best Voyages and Travels — a complete collection of ]\Iaps and 

 Charts, from the earliest period of rude geographical delineations, to the most 

 improved of the present time ; as well as all such documents and materials as 

 may convey the best information to persons intending to visit foreign countries ; 

 it being of the greatest utility to a traveller to be aware, previously to his setting 

 out, of what has been already done, and what is still wanting, in the countries he 

 may intend to visit. 



3. To procure specimens of such instruments as experience has shown to be 

 VOL. II. 3 A 



