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ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TYNESIDE 

 NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB, 



READ AT THEIR SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, HELD IN THE 

 COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 

 OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, MARCH 30tII, 1853. By THE PRESI- 

 DENT, CHARLES THORP, D.D., F.RS., Archdeacon of 

 Durham, Warden of the University of Durham. 



Gentlemen, — It is my duty to bring before you, as briefly and 

 as clearly as I may, the transactions of tlie past year. 



In doins: so, let me acknowledo-e the hi2:h and undeserved 

 honour you have conferred upon me, by calling me to this chair ; 

 and also entreat you to extend to me the indulgence I so greatly 

 need and so earnestly desire, seeing how little I am qualified, by 

 previous habits and pursuits, to fill this place to your satisfaction 

 and my own. 



True it is, the study of nature has ever been a delight to me ; 

 pleasure beyond price to watch 



the living herds profusely wild 



Spread o'er the deep-green earth — 



to mark their various properties and virtues ; to 



pierce into those secret stores 



Of health, and peace, and joy — 



and, in the contemplation of the wonders of creation, to adore 



the Source of beings, who, with a master's hand, 



Hath the great whole into perfection touched. 



But the cares and callings of active life hath left but short 

 intervals for such enjoyments, or the studies and investigations 

 connected with them ; and, with an ardent love of nature, I 

 cannot but feel myself altogether wanting in the scientific 

 information which the President of such a Society as yours 

 ought surely to possess. 



Happily, the knowledge I so greatly covet, but cannot hope to 

 acquire, is widely spread among our members. You number 



