436 Geographical Collection^, 



, " 4. The preparation and improvement of road-books for different countries, of 

 gazetteers, and of geographical and statistical tables, and all such matters as are 

 of general utility. 



" The Committee cannot take it upon itself to pronounce to which, of so many 

 important considerations as have been enumerated, the attention of the Society 

 should be first directed; the order of precedence must obviously, in some mea- 

 sure, depend on the means, rather than the wishes, of the Council ; but the 

 Committee are willing to hope that, sooner or later, most or all of the subjects 

 mentioned wiU engage that attention of the Members to which they appear to be 

 fairly entitled ; and that the range of investigation will in no respect be less 

 comprehensive than the title of the Society impUes. 



" In making these observations, which have reference chiefly to facts, the 

 Committee wish, however, to guard themselves against any supposition, that 

 might be entertained, of their being hostile to theory ; or of recommending to 

 the Society to limit the reception of communications to such only as are the re- 

 suit of actual observation and experiment. On the contrary, they are fully aware 

 that great benifits have been, and yet may be, derived from speculative Geogra- 

 phy. Theories that do not involve obvious absurdities or impossibilities, but 

 are supported by reasonable probabilities, may serve as guides to conduct to im- 

 portant discoveries ; by exciting curiosity they stimulate inquiry, and inquiry 

 generally leads to truth. Reasonings and suggestions, therefore, in regard to 

 parts of the world deserving of minuter investigation, which are little known, or 

 of which no good account has yet been given, the routes to be observed in exa- 

 mining them, the chief subjects of inquiry, and best modes of overcoming the 

 probable difficulties that may occur in the research, — all these will form proper 

 subjects for admission into the proceedings of the Society. 



" And lastly, The Committee having reason to think, that at no great dis- 

 tance of time, the Society will be able to obtain suitable apartments for the recep- 

 tion of Books, Maps, Charts, and Instruments, they would venture to suggest, 

 that donations of such materials as may tend to the elucidation and extension of 

 Geographical Science would afford facilities to the attainment of its views. And 

 they are willing to hope that, aided by such means, a Library of Books and 

 Manuscripts on Geographical Subjects, with a collection of Charts and JMaps, 

 may be formed, that will not be undeserving of public approbation and patronage. 



" The Admission Fee and Annual Subscription, or, in lieu thereof, the Com- 

 position, to be paid to Messrs. Cocks and Biddulphs, Bankers, 43, Charirtg 

 Cross ; or to the Secretary, 99, Quadrant, Regent Street, to whom also Ap- 

 plications for Admission to the Society may be addressed." 



Early in November next a general meeting is appointed to be held, for the 

 purpose of deciding on a code of regulations and by-laws, for the management of 

 the Society. 



The high respectability of the Society, at its very formation, may be estimated 

 by the subjoined list of members, amounting on the 22d July last to 440. 



The Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen William Astell, Esq. M.P. Chairman 



Sir T. Dyke Acland, Bart. M.P. E.I.C. 



John Adamson, Esq. John P. Atkins, Esq. 



William Ainsworth, Esq. Thos. Rose Auldjo, Esq. 



Captain J. A. Alexander 



James Alexander, Esq. M.P. Adolph Back, Esq. 



J. M. Alsager, Esq. John Backhouse, Esq. 



Viscount Althorp Alexander Baillie, Esq. 



Sir Edmund Antrobus, Bart. David Baillie, Esq. 



Captain Archer Francis Baily, Esq. 



Rev. Dr Arnold, Master of Rugby School Arthur Baily, Esq. 



Mr J. Arrowsmith Sir F. F. Baker, Bart, 



Mr Aaron Arrowsmith Captain Bannister 



