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But I would not be understood to speak too exclusively of 

 our Geological pursuits, though, from its comparative novelty of 

 research, and study, that science has been allowed to occupy a 

 prominent and almost exclusive attention from many of the most 

 active members of these Societies. We can hardly be too often 

 reminded that it is the special privilege of Field Clubs to study 

 the secrets of Tfature, not as they are cut up by books into the 

 jealous divisions of distinct 'sciences', but upon her own broad 

 field where she is all one, and, in a certain sense, indivisible, the 

 materials of every science being found in union with all others. 

 It is the limitation of our own faculties, not of anything in Cre- 

 ation itself, which compels separation of pursuit and object, and 

 subdivision, as it were, into chapter and verse. This is more pow- 

 erfully felt, though insensibly conveyed to us, by one day out of 

 doors, surrounded by men of science, (however each may have 

 wisely compressed his studies into one channel) than it ever can 

 be understood from books themselves. 



There is, however, one class of out- door investigation 

 which is of course an exception to this remark, and does not 

 strictly fall under the category of science, but for which I 

 would venture to say a word — I mean the study of Archajology — 

 on this ground, that whereas the records afforded by the earth's 

 geological structure are permanent, and its botanical features con- 

 stantly renewed ; those records which tell of the hand of man, 

 claim our prompt and early attention on account of the destruc- 

 tive hand of time, and the obliterating effects of the winter's 

 frost and the summer's vegetation. 



Nature's monuments remain: while those of art follow the 

 perishable hand that reared them, and allow of no delay. The 

 County of Hereford is unfortunate in the want of a completed 

 History ; and I confess that I should like to indulge the hope 

 that a Club which is so ubiquitous in its action, and operations, 

 will not omit to render its out-door labours as much as possible 

 in union with the objects of the literary and philosophical Socie- 

 ty. "We are a Brotherhood for mutual and self help " says 



