138 FOUNDATION AND EARLY WORK 



.R.S. TAS. 



Franklin. A minute of the proceedings (35) contained 

 an accoiunti of the formation and work of the Society, and 

 has already been quoted. The minute also contained the 

 following paragraiph : — 



"The promotion of Art as well as Science has of late 

 ''been recognised among the objects of the Tasmanian 

 "Society. It is believed that while the promotioin of 

 "scientific inquiry cannot but assist in developing the re- 

 "sources of the Colony, and in exciting interest respecting 

 "it abroad, yet that the promotion of Art will have an 

 "immediate effect on our social improvement of a more 

 "decided character; and that our efforts will be zealously 

 "approved of at Home in this respect. The election of 

 "the Bishop of Tasmania as our Vicei-President is a pledge 

 "that this development of our labciurs will be neither in- 

 "efficient nor unsuccessfully prosecuted." 



Sir Eardley Wilmot then convened a meeting of the 

 Society to be held at Grcivernment House on 14th October, 

 and to this meeting were also invited members of the 

 Horticultural Society and the Mechanics' Institution, Sir 

 Eardley Wilmot's intention being that the three societies 

 should be "blended together, and each form a section of 

 "one extended Society." (36) 



The members of the Tasmanian Society found them- 

 selves somewhat unprepared for the proposals of their 

 President ; and some of them objected to the proposed 

 exaction of an entrance fee as a condition of their joining 

 the reorganised So.ciety. They pointed out that Lady 

 Franklin had provided them with an endowment, and that 

 they already had a well-established position in scientific 

 circles; and they thought that the proposals of the Presi- 

 dent showed insufficient consideration for them. They 

 asked for time to consider the new rules ; but the Governor 

 was averse from delay ; and upon signs of further opposi- 

 tion from the members, he adjourned the meeting of the 

 Society sine die. West remarks (i., 236) : "Thev thought 

 "past services demanded a consideration of their wishes. 

 "They had received in trust an endowment from Lady 

 "Franklin of some prospective value ; they corresponded 

 "with men of the first scientific circles; and they 

 "had published a journal which widely extended the phy- 

 "sical knowledge and European fame of this^ hemisphere. 

 "None who are experienced in the causes of political dis- 

 "content will consider such trifles without serious effect 

 "on the tempers of parties and the peace of rulers." 



(3.5) Hobart Town Advertiser, 20t]i October, 1843. 

 (36) LauncesUm Examiner, 11th October, 1845. 



