president's address. 297 



curiosity, skilful botanists, expert also in science and in art; 

 witness, were evidences wanting, the Church of Durham, and the 

 splendid MSS. which adorn the Chapter Library. 



The birds, I say so with much pain, are fast disappearing from 

 the banks and walks of Durham, by reason of the ruthless prac- 

 tices of the egg collectors, and among them my schoolfellows, 

 who debase the calling of the naturalist b}' purchasing the 

 specimens they should gather ; thus bribing the needy children 

 of the city to plunder the nests of our little friends, deprive our 

 neighbours of a rich enjoyment, inflict wanton pain, and destroy 

 one of the most charming of nature's works. When will man 

 learn to remember that his dominion over the animal creation is 

 given as a trust 1 



It is pleasant to recur to these scenes of early youth, although 

 the recollection tells us that the freshness, the sentiment, the 

 poetry of life is gone. 



I remember, I remember, the fir-trees dark and high, 



I used to think their slender spires were close against the sky. 



I remember, I remember, the roses red and white, 



The violets and the lily cups, those flowers made of light, 



The lilac where the robin built 



I remember, I remember, when I used to swing, 



And through the air would rush as fresh as swallow on the wing, 



My spirit flew in feathers then . 



And though these days had their sorrows too, we think with re- 

 gret of the change from such joyous scenes to the sad realities 

 of after-life, and forget that all this is in the order of Providence, 

 all subservient to the great purposes of our being, all in advance 

 towards the higher state of happiness and intelligence to which 

 we are invited. 



And now, gentlemen, I am admonished to close the sitting ; 

 thanking you, which I do most cordially, for the patient hearing 

 and attention you have given to my story. 



The year's transactions are in all respects encouraging, and 

 shew you, in what has been done, how much more is within your 

 reach. You have a rich field of enterprise and usefulness before 

 you j and whatever be your measure of success, this you cannot 

 doubt, that the studies and pursuits of the Club, the occupation 



