310 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



them are already fond of Natural History ; some of them have made 

 surprising collections, and they have been observed to be par- 

 ticularly interested in the more splendid collections made by persons 

 enjoying the leisure, fortune, and opportunities which do not fall to 

 their lot. To those who feel an admiration of natural objects, but 

 who seldom can go forth into the great museum of nature, where 

 the wild flowers bloom and the free birds fill the air with melody — 

 and to all who are denied the amusement of travelling — access to 

 a museum in which the rarities of nature's workmanship are arrang- 

 ed and displayed, offers a most welcome and an improving pleasure, 

 in the place of pleasures which destroy health, independence, and 

 comfort. It should not be forgotten that Linneus and other 

 great Naturalists to whom science is deeply indebted, began their 

 studies in poverty and obscurity. No philanthropy is more liberal 

 and wise than that which increases the refined and innocent enjoy- 

 ments of persons whose situation precludes them from all the daily 

 and hourly pleasures partaken of by those in better circumstances." 



A large portion of the lecture was devoted to shewing the inter- 

 est belonging to the different branches of study comprehended 

 under Natural History, and the facility with which very young 

 students might be pleasurably engaged in such observations as form- 

 ed the best ground-work of such studies ; drawing his illustrations 

 from geology, botany, and zoology. The importance of meteorology 

 was strongly urged in reference to the yet unknown causes of epi- 

 demics. The object of statistics — to which, until lately, very little 

 attention has been paid — was thus spoken of: — 



" There is yet one great application of the faculty of observing 

 which should be kept in view in every Natural History Society, as 

 strictly belonging to the natural history of man. I mean the appli- 

 cation of observation to the subject of statistical details. This 

 branch of inquiry relates to all that concerns man's worldly welfare, 

 including his moral improvement. It is the science which teaches 

 by examples how to preserve the life of the young ; how to secure 

 good and abundant food and clothing and shelter to all ; and how 

 to give a safe and useful and profitable direction to human activity 

 and energy ; to bring the propensities under the dominion of rea- 

 son and religion ; to increase industry, virtue, and prosperity ; to 

 preserve the health, the strength, the intelligence, and even the 

 beauty of human beings ; and to secure the enjoyment of many of 

 these blessings to a good old age. It is therefore of all sciences the 

 greatest in its scope and objects, and may be called the science of 

 improving mankind. The information collected for this department 

 comprehends the effects of different occupations, and of different lo- 

 calities, on health and longevity, as well as on the manners and mo- 

 rals of the people : and it may serve to shew some of the connexions 

 of the different branches of Natural History, if I mention that the 

 geologist, from the mere description of the character of any line of 

 country, can pretty well understand Avhat must be the productions, 

 the pursuits, and even the general state of health of the inhabitants ; 

 whilst the botanist and the entomologist would equally predicate 



