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other, the ability, on our part, to maintain a claim to the ex- 

 ercise of their liberality in our behalf. 



During the last year the Society has felt more sensibly than 

 ever the inconveniences and evils which I have named ; its 

 wants have become more apparent, and the necessity of a 

 change is now seen by all. I have reflected a good deal 

 upon the subject, and I am persuaded that the present is a 

 favorable time for an effort, and that, by the united exertion 

 of its friends, and a discreet application in the proper quarters, 

 every reasonable wish of the Society may be gratified. The 

 general prosperity of the community cannot now be a matter 

 of doubt. The large sums which have been raised during the 

 last year to endow several most deserving literary and chari- 

 table institutions, show that the munificent spirit which so em- 

 inently characterizes our city is not dormant. It remains only 

 to inquire whether we have confidence in the utility of our So- 

 ciety, as constituting one of the means of intellectual progress, 

 or as forming one of the elements of public good, or even for 

 the lower merit of affording an unobjectionable kind of public 

 amusement, to enable us to ask for public approbation and 

 aid. To this inquiry I would urge an immediate reply, and 

 early action if the reply be in the affirmative. 



For myself, I entertain no doubt of the validity of our 

 claims. I might, in aid of them, suggest some general consid- 

 erations, showing the importance of the study of Natural His- 

 tory. I might speak of the object of these studies, which is 

 the discovery of the plan of the creation, of " those ultimate 

 truths, by which alone unaided reason can know the Creator." 

 I might show that the most weighty arguments of natural 

 religion are drawn from it, that it tends to form habits of 

 system and order, of careful observation, and accurate dis- 

 crimination ; and that it fortifies our love of truth. I might 

 ask what more certain protection our children can have from 

 the contamination of bad influences, than an interest in some 

 department of Natural History ; or how the leisure hours of the 



