120 Suggestions respecting the ensuing Meeting 



ever, to the mode of exposition that I would apply the term, — 

 to science popularly developed, — not to what may be called 

 popular science; and I need not point out to men of accurate 

 knowledge and of clear and comprehensive views, that some of 

 the most important and refined objects of inquiry may be 

 treated in apt, plain, and intelligible language, and elucidated 

 by lively and appropriate illustrations. 



Our Society is not composed of philosophers alone. It en- 

 rols among its members, as has been well stated of the York- 

 shire Philosophical Society, " not only those who are them- 

 selves engaged in philosophical studies, but all by whom the 

 value of such studies is duly appreciated ; not those alone who 

 hope to extend the boundaries of knowledge by their own re- 

 searches, but all who are willing to encourage the prosecution 

 of such researches by others, and to concur in furnishing 

 those facilities to scientific inquiries which a philosophical 

 association is capable of affording." 



We therefore invite additions to our members, from the 

 respectable classes of society, wherever we go, without being 

 nicely inquisitive as to qualifications ; and we are right in do- 

 ing so, for, independently of the pecuniary resources which 

 they afford, there is an animating and exhilarating influence 

 in numbers, of which it is impossible that the gravest and most 

 philosophical can be insensible. But with such views of the 

 elements of the Society, it is important to bear in mind, in 

 its proceedings, the popular as well as the philosophical cha- 

 racter of its structure. 



The British Association derives its origin from the cele- 

 brated meeting of scientific men which annually takes place 

 in different cities of Germany; but it was thought desirable, at 

 its formation, to aim at making it more subservient to the ad- 

 vancement of science than that on the Continent professes to 

 be. The views of its founders were so honourable and high- 

 minded as to merit every possible support and encourage- 

 ment from the scientific world ; but in thus endeavouring to 

 place the objects of the Society in a higher and more dignified 

 position than those of its parent, I trust it will always be 

 borne in mind, how essential the attendance of its principal 

 members is to the preservation of the main characteristic of 

 the institution, that of bringing kindred spirits together, and 

 thus connecting the pursuits of literature and science with 

 the kindliest feelings of our nature: "Omnium Societatum 

 nulla praestantior est, nulla firmior, quam aim viri boni, 

 moribus similes, sunt familiaritate conjuncti;" and I venture 

 to submit, that the most successful production which the 

 most able of our members may furnish, in obedience to the 

 wishes of the Society, is not equal in its moral influence, as a 



