98 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



world, and sin and suffering encompass me, I will visit the grave of 

 her who is in heaven ; and as I read on the plain stone the name of 

 Hannah Dyer, I shall be regenerated by impressions which exalt 

 and purify my heart, matured to penitence and peace by the faint 

 stirrings of that better spirit which cannot be quenched. 



W. 



PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



MANCHESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



When we examine the causes that operate in producing the rise 

 and fall of empires, and the varied agencies that have aided in 

 bringing the world to its present moral and intellectual condition, 

 we pause with feelings of pleasure to reflect for a moment on the 

 origin and progress of our scientific institutions. The statesman 

 wields the truncheon of command, and the warrior leads devoted 

 thousands to an early death : but these in vain attempt to join na- 

 tions in bonds of friendship : some jealousy discovers a new cause 

 for quarrel, and, for trifling reasons, contending people again meet 

 in all the hateful array of war. What these powerful ai:ents fail 

 to accomplish, is achieved by the humble hand of science. Its vota- 

 ries, pursuing their peaceful discoveries, form connections and 

 friendships which national quarrels in vain try to interrupt. Their 

 interests and opinions (devoid of prejudice) seem apart from those of 

 the world; and when this happy communion becomes more extend- 

 ed, that national hatred, so injurious in its effects, will disappear 

 from the face of the earth — we shall no more hear such epithets as 

 the too common one, " natural enemies," but know and feel that 

 our greatest blessing is universal peace and universal friendship. 



In producing and strengthening this silken tie between one na- 

 tion and another, our philosophical institutions stand pre-eminent. 

 Alike formed and supported by a numerous concourse of people, they 

 must in time exhibit effects upon public opinion. Here, individu- 

 als of opposite political principles (those banes of private friendship) 

 meet together ; they alike communicate and listen to communica- 

 tions of discoveries : the harmless discussions which ensue, strength- 

 en, rather than interrupt the happy feeling, and they separate with 

 the full conviction that this is an arena on which persons of all 

 ranks, all principles, and all nations may meet in friendly and 

 agreeable intercourse. 



As in many other instances, comparative trifles first led to the 



