318 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Sept. 



munities the performance is beyond the reach of the people. 

 It would be idle, even if it were desirable, to attempt a change 

 in this condition of things, or to enter into a crusade against 

 the present system, but it would seem that much might be done 

 in this county by an institution like this cooperating with local 

 societies, to furnish that which Lyceums no longer supply. 



But the formation of a museum, which is the first and most 

 definite object named in the instrument of trust, yet constitutes 

 but a part of Mr. Peabody's scheme. After it is finished and 

 such buildings as may be required are completed, the income is 

 to be devoted in certain proportions to the departments of the 

 physical and natural sciences. In what way this shall be done 

 the instrument of trust does not state. This is left in the fullest 

 ■ manner to the discretion of the trustees. 



In the early stages of an institution, it is somewhat difficult 

 to lay down a definite plan of operations ; certainly it would be 

 unwise to encumber ourselves with any inflexible formula of 

 action or management. Circumstances may change, or our means 

 may be insufficient. In stating, therefore, the purposes of the 

 trustees, I state that which now seems to them most desirable, 

 and the best method, in connnection with the museum, of pro- 

 moting, to use the precise words of the trust, " among the 

 inhabitants of the county of Essex, the study and knowledge of the 

 natural and physical sciences, and their application to the useful 

 arts. 



These words clearly define three distinct objects. The aid to 

 be afforded to the student of the sciences. The aid to all in 

 the pursuit of a knowledge of the sciences. The advancement 

 of the material prosperity of the county by the application of 

 science to practical purposes. Having these objects in view, the 

 following plan is proposed :— 



1. " To promote the study of the natural and physical sciences," 

 it is proposed to offer inducements to teachers and scholars to 

 enter upon the special study of the sciences. 



The practical execution of this would be as follows : — To give 

 courses of lectures to the Normal School as often as practicable ; 

 to give courses of lectures of a strictly educational character to 

 teachers, persons interested in science, and select classes of stu- 

 dents combined in different parts of the county ; to distribute 

 collections properly named, labelled and mounted, to the schools, 

 suitable for the practical illustration of text books and lectures, 



