PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 289 



with yourselves men of research and eminent attainments, with 

 whom it is a pride to be associated in any walk of science, and 

 whose success, in the branches you cultivate, gives the best 

 stimulus and encouragement to those who humbly follow, though 

 at adistance, in their steps. Let me exhort you to pursue, at 

 any cost of labour and denial, the objects of our search ; and 

 with severer studies, that you may the better prosecute them, I 

 would urge you to embrace all the opportunities of social inter- 

 course and friendly communication our periodical meetings 

 afford, and freely also to enjoy the innocent, peaceful, improving 

 relaxations, and healthful pleasures, to which the Naturalists' 

 Field Club invites us. 



Tor, not unreconipensed the man shall roam, 



Who at the'call of summer quits his home. 



Dear is the forest frowning o'er his head, 



And dear the velvet green-sward to his tread. 



Moves there a cloud o'er mid-day's flaming eye, 



Upward he looks, and calls it luxury. 



Kind nature's charities his steps attend ; 



In every babbling brook he finds a friend ; 



Whilst chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed 



By wisdom, moralize his pensive road. 



I cannot doubt but that I shall best consult your wishes and 

 convenience by going at once m medias res, and presenting an 

 account of our proceedings from the very interesting notes which 

 your able Secretary has prepared, and put into my hands for 

 your use. 



The First Meeting of the year was held at Lumley, twenty- 

 five members being present on that occasion ; and the happy 

 selection of the place gave the opportunity not only of examining 

 the many natural objects with which the locality abounds, and 

 acquainting the Society more fully with the productions of an 

 important district, but also of visiting two remarkable places of 

 the county of Durham, Lumley and Lambton Castles, distin- 

 guished by beauty of scenery and historic monuments, with the 

 ancient collegiate church of Chester-le-Street, not less curious and 

 engaging to many of our members, filled with memorials of the 



