108 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE NATURAL 



brine, which is supposed to be stronger than any other in the kingdom, is generally 

 stated to contain one-fourth part of salt ; but this calculation I conceive to be too 

 low, for Mr. Evans* was good enough to obtain for me one wine quart of this 

 strong brine, which weighed two pounds eight ounces, and yielded on evaporation 

 ten ounces and a half of salt. 



" The salt springs are not confined to Droitwich, but extend in many directions 

 around that part of the county, and, I have before mentioned, that at Stoke Prior, 

 aboxit two miles from Droitwich, a manufactory of salt is carried on." 



Thus it is that at every step, in every county, in every town, something 

 is to be found which interests the lover of Natural History. No other 

 study so directly increases the number of inlets to innocent happiness. 

 Nothing exercises the mind so much with so little fatigue. 



Fair or gentle reader, are you a watcher of the sky ? This also is a 

 department of Natural History. When you mark the changeful clouds, 

 now spread like graceful plumes in the bright sunshine, now gathering 

 in darker masses and portending storms ; receiving now the first rays of 

 the morning sun, or reflecting the glories of the dying day ; your atten- 

 tion rests on the results of vast operations going on in the upper regions 

 of the atmosphere, concerning which much that is curious may be 

 observed almost in every hour, and the explanation of which is yet 

 obscure. The science of Natural History, which comprehends me- 

 teorology, will lead you as it were to those regions, to none accessible 

 except to those whose minds can rise upon the wings of science above 

 the surface of the mere earth. The day may come when to you, or to 

 some one whom you love, a knowledge of the properties of different 

 climates may be most important, and this knowledge may be acquired by 

 a course of daily observations. The nature of the dew, the causes of 

 storms, and the comparative dryness or warmth of diflferent places of 

 residence, are not matters of trifling interest or of trifling utility. We 

 are not unmindful that we may say too much, even on a subject of this 

 kind, and make even Natural History distasteful by wearying our readers 

 with its praise. Here then we will conclude this strain of observation, 

 quoting only the zealous words of Dr. Hastings, who thus addresses his 

 readers : — 



" Having now given you as it were a prospect of the promised land, it remains 

 for you to determine whether you will go in and possess it, A land not indeed 

 rfch, as that of the Israelites of old, in olive-yards and vineyards ; but rich in 

 rewarding us, by improving our mental endowments, by purifying our affections, 

 and by leading us on to give glory to God, and to do good to mankind. Will you then 

 give an answer to this question ? Are you ready to take your share in endeavour- 

 ing to carry forward the good work iu which we have engaged ? I see among you 

 many whose talents and acquirements eminently fit them for the task ; but are you 

 willing labourers in this field of knowledge } You must remember that in the 

 social world, if a man will not work, neither can he have food. So it is in the 

 world of science. Science gives no reward to idlers ; and therefore it signifies not 

 your having the ability, if you are not determined to exert yourselves, and to leave 

 nothing undone to advance the interests and to serve the cause of the institution 

 which we have so happily formed for the cultivation of this interesting department 

 of Knowledge — Natural History." 



We can add nothing to the force of this appeal. Happy are the young 

 people who are in such a case. It is no small honour to Worcester to be 

 so early distinguished by the establishment of an institution which will 

 become, we confidently anticipate, a model for similar institutions in many 

 of the principal provincial towns. The lecture from which we have made 

 such frequent citations is a sufficient proof of the share of honour which 

 is to be ascribed to Dr. Hastings as relates to this undertaking. Its 



. * "The Hon. Sec, erf our Natwal History Society." 



