134 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



port each other. After the arduous labours of a day passed in commercial or 

 professional engagements, the lighter and more elegant pursuits of hterature 

 will afford recreation, relaxation, and refreshment, to the wearied mind." 



The President, who was listened to throughout with the deepest 

 attention, interrupted only by frequent bursts of applause, thus 

 concluded : — 



" Near St. Peter's Church, in the modem city of Rome, there are two 

 lofty and lovely fountains, separate from each other, but correspondent, and 

 mutually ornamental. As far as I know, they are the two most beautiful 

 fountains in the world. Both rise to the same height in the air ; both dif- 

 fuse around them, to the thirsty neighbourhood, the abundant streams of 

 their refreshing bounty. The same dazzling sun of Italy shines on both, 

 and reflects in the spray, as it circles around, the richly coloured tints of the 

 rainbow. In this humid climate, and among the busy sons of commerce, 

 ornamental fountains are not wanted ; but there are now established in this 

 town two institutions, intended to be equally useful and equally permanent. 

 They are separate from each other, and yet mutually correspondent. Com- 

 merce characterizes the one, and mechanical arts the other. Both diffuse 

 around them, like intellectual fountains, the refreshing influence of mental 

 and moral improvement. On both the same cheering light of public appro- 

 bation shines brilliantly. 



" May the same prudence and wisdom which have long guided the Mecha- 

 nics' Institution, be now shared by the Manchester Athenaeum. May the 

 same zeal and warmth of attachment, already manifest among the directors, 

 become the pervading characteristics of all the members. May prosperity 

 thus be secured to this new institution ; may relaxation and improvement 

 be ever afforded within her walls in the social pursuits of literature and sci- 

 ence ; and may that high tone of moral feeling be here cultivated which will 

 conduce to real happiness and elevation of character in this life, and to pre- 

 paration for a higher, a nobler, and a holier state of being." 



The meeting was subsequently addressed by G. W. Wood, Esq., 

 Mark Philips, Esq., M. P., R. Potter, Esq., M. P., and Mr. A. 

 Watkin, in very apposite speeches, expressive of their warm interest 

 in the success of the Institution. 



Courses of lectures have been delivered by Mr. Davies, of Man- 

 chester, on Heat ; by Mr. Montgomery, of Sheffield, on the British 

 Poets ; by Mr. Hemming, on Chemistry ; and JVIr. L. A. J. Mor- 

 dacque, is now engaged on a course on the Study of the French 

 Language. Several other lecturers are engaged to deliver courses 

 on various useful and scientific subjects. A very numerous French 

 class is also in the course of formation. 



Notwithstanding the present temporary accommodation is inade- 

 quate to afford all the advantages held out in the original prospec- 

 tus, nearly eleven hundred members have already enrolled their 

 names. The arrangements of the directors have given the greatest 

 satisfaction, and the popularity of the Institution is daily increasing. 



