Scientific Reviews. 273 



those of Mr, Faleonar and Dr. Gillies, which latter gentleman had no connec- 

 tion whatever with the old committee. 



Paragraph 7th. " On the 24th April the Society met," and " the following 

 resolutioTis were moved by the Rev. Dr. Ritchie, 1 . that the Council of the Society 

 be directed to examine into the state of the library," &c. &.C. This statement 

 again is incorrect. It is of no service now to ask why the Council did not perform 

 iheir duty, without being continually urged and re-appointed ; but it had become 

 «vident tliat the surest way to carry the business through, was to have a special 

 committee for the purpose, and the attempt was made at this meeting ; " this pro- 

 posal, however, was overruled by the president, and the Rev. Dr. Ritchie, se- 

 conded by Dr. Walter Adam, moved, as an ainendment on the previous mo-. 

 Hon for a special committee, and not as an original resolution, that the Coun- 

 cil, to whom Mr. Arnott was afterwards added, be directed to examine into 

 the state of the books, ^c. «» th€ Society's collection. As most of the active 

 members of the Society were on the Council, the amendment was allowed 

 to pass ; but since that period, the Council have appointed a committee 

 from their own number to perform this onerous duty. At the time of the re- 

 appointment of the Council to the investigation of the library, it was suggested 

 by a member that the Museum of the Society came under the general duty de- 

 legated to them, — " the books, ^c. in the Society's collection." And such is the 

 fact, as shown by the quotation : but this was too sore a subject ; and the president 

 could not prevent himself from interfering, with the remark, that they had al- 

 ready enough on their hands with the library, and they had better complete that 

 first. Of course, the Council will do their duty to the Society, and not permit 

 themselves to be blinded to the actual words of the motion by such a manceuvre. 



The 8th and concluding paragraph states that " the Council met on the 1st 

 May," and " appointed a committee for the purposes mentioned in the minutes 

 of the meeting of 24th April, viz. Professor Jameson, Mr. Faleonar, Dr. Gillies, 

 Mr. Amott, with Mr. Wilson, librarian ; Professor Jameson,cQ7ivener." But who 

 had the indelicacy to name the president convener, when it was well known that 

 against him the inquiry was, in point of fact, directed ? He named himself, 

 tlwugh another gentleman was proposed. 



Such is the nature of this circular, which has apparently cost so much labour 

 and management in the manufacture. And it would show want of candour on 

 our part did we not afford it the highest encomium for neatness of execution and ge- 

 neral fitness to deceive. But it is fortunate for us, in our office of Censor, that we 

 were bred to the study of natural history, where the analytical powers of the 

 mind are in constant exercise, and where it is a principle that all the individual 

 facts must be examined before the generalities can be allowed. 



But the most unaccountable circumstance connected with this document re- 

 mains to be noticed. Nobody knows whence it came, nor to whom it is address- 

 ed. It certainly bears the signature of Mr. Neill, the Secretary of the Wemerian 

 Society, and has been directed to several members of the Society. But these 

 facts make the matter doubly mysterious. By whom was the circular ordered to 

 be printed ? Did the Council see it necessary to go the expense, however trifling, 

 of explaining to the Society " the occasion and objects" of their appointment ? 

 Surely the Society, when it met on the 24th April, was sufficiently aware of its 

 own motives, not to require any explanation from its Council, why it delegated to 

 that Council a particular duty. But we know that the Council did not direct the 

 publication of this circular, and did not even know of its existence till it was sent 

 to the several members. Was it, then, the act of Mr. Neill, whose name is sub- 

 joined ? We cannot suppose it ; for it certainly is not customary for secretaries 

 to take upon themselves to dictate to the society which they serve, on these mat- 



• The Coimcil of the Wemerian Society has been hitherto rather an ineffi- 

 cient body ; but their excuse is, that they nave never been summoned to meet, 

 except on some very extraordinary occasions. At all events, we know that th^ 

 President has had all the trouble of performing their duties. 



