Apparatus invented by that gentleman, for 

 effecting" an instantaneous communication with 

 a sliipwrecked vessel, was procured in the end 

 of last year. Happily no case of shipwreck has 

 since occurred here, to put the utility of this 

 Apparatus to the test ; butj from various trials 

 that have been made, it appears well calculated 

 to answer the humane purpose of its learned, 

 ingenious, and philanthropic inventor. 



It was observed in last year's Report, that 

 political ar^itation had, in some degree, retarded 

 our operations as a Philosophical Society ; and 

 the same observation will apply to the present 

 year. Amidst the din and bustle of politics, the 

 sober voice of learning and philosophy is but 

 faintly heard. Yet we trust, that what seems at 

 present a hinderance to our pursuits, may event- 

 ually accelerate our progress. Whatever excites 

 the human mind to vigorous action, will ulti- 

 mately promote the interests of sound reason, and 

 useful knowledge ; and those mental powers 

 which are now exercised in discussing matters 

 of commerce, or affairs of state, may hereafter 

 be employed with greater energy in the cultiva- 

 tion of science. To whatever causes it may be 

 assigned, we are glad to perceive among the 

 people of Whitby a manifest increase of public 

 spirit. Undertakings hitherto deemed imprac- 

 ticable, are now boldly proposed, and zealously 



