PROCEEDINGS OP PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 297 



unadorned with so much modesty, could attain, yet it is but rarely 

 indeed that a name like that of Sometville can be found in the 

 highest departments of severe philosophy. 



But far different is the case with those objects which our nascent 

 institution is founded to promote. Natural history presents many 

 charms to the cultivated female mind. Considered as an innocent 

 and elegant pursuit, as combining information with amusement, 

 and occupying", without engrossing, the mind, engaging it in agree- 

 able study, without withdrawing it from domestic duties, it has a 

 thousand charms on female attention, particularly in those branches 

 which relate to botany, entomology, and orni'thology. He, there- 

 fore, trusted that the ladies of Shropshire would follow the bright 

 example set them by the ladies of the neighbouring county of Wor- 

 cester, in fostering the society established there, by taking under 

 their piftronage, and assisting, and sharing in the pursuits of, the 

 institution whose cause he now advocated. 



The learned president thus concluded, amid the unanimous plau- 

 dits of the assembly: — " I am sensible how great a trespasser I have 

 been upon your time and patience, and, though I had much more to 

 say, I must hasten to abridge what remains. But one thing is too 

 important to be passed over unnoticed. I mean the great improve- 

 ment which such institutions are likely to effect in the diffusion of 

 science and civilization — in giving a taste for rational and useful 

 amusements, instead of frivolous and unprofitable pursuits — in sharp- 

 ening the faculties of the intelligent, by collision — and in softening 

 prejudices and removing asperities, by bringing into nearer contact 

 various orders of men, and uniting them in that one republic in 

 which all are ambitious to be enrolled — I mean that of letters. 

 These studies may both relax the minds of those who are wearied 

 with graver cares, and amuse the hours of those who have no 

 heavier concerns ; they may afford food to the scientific, instruction 

 to the inquiring, and occupation to the vacant mind. They can 

 injure none, they may delight many, they may improve all : and I, 

 therefore, earnestly recommend them to your attention, with thanks 

 for the patience with which you have heard me, and hearty good 

 wishes for the prosperity of this institution." 



The Report of the council was then read by Dr, Goldie, of which 

 we are enabled to present the following abstract ; — 



The council, after congratulating the meeting on the flourishing 

 prospects of the society, even at this early period, of its existence, 

 and referring to the objects contemplated by its founders, explains, 

 that, in assuming its name from the extensive district comprehended 

 by Shropshire and North Wales, the society disclaims all intention 

 of monopoli^jing patronage, or interfering with the claims and ob- 

 jects of the sister societies established at Ludlow and Caernarvon ; 

 but, on the contrarj^, rejoices in the extension of knowledge and the 

 increase of institutions calculated to promote it in the surrounding 

 districts. The Report next alludes to the success which attended 

 the first appeal of the society to the public, in obtaining a prompt 



