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the entire population ? Is the burden of local taxation already 

 too heavy for us to contemplate an increase ? Without however 

 waiting for any movement of the ratepayers or the decision of our 

 town senate, might we not have in connection with our club a 

 small museum, and a well-assorted selection of books limited to 

 the objects of our association, that should be free to the members 

 and available to the general public on the payment of a small 

 charge? We are greatly indebted to our local press for the 

 valuable service it has rendered in reporting the doings of our 

 club. Might not our committee enter into some arrangement 

 with the proprietors and editors, whereby a column, or even half 

 a column, of each weekly issue, should be reserved for literature 

 and science. Short accounts of the botany and natural history 

 of the district, hints to beginners how to observe, collect and 

 arrange, together with occasional notes of such books as would 

 aid them in their attempts, would furnish an abundant and con- 

 stant supply of material. Is tbere any insuperable difficulty in 

 the way of Burnley having a School of Art ? There are, 3 night 

 art classes, and some 7 or 8 science classes in connection with 

 our elementary schools and Literary and Mechanics' Institutions. 

 But these, in practice, are restricted almost to the young. We 

 desire to see a school of art and science that should offer induce- 

 ments to frequent it to persons of both sexes who have ceased to 

 attend school, but who are desirous of continuing their self- 

 improvement. Let me here say tliat our lady friends have it in 

 their power to do much to promote a love of science and litera- 

 ture in our midst. Ladies' associations for the engagement of 

 teachers to instruct classes of ladies have been formed in several 

 towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Why not in Burnley ? 

 The presence of those ladies who have graced our meetings shows 

 that there are not a few who appreciate our aims, and who are 

 themselves inchned to our pursuits. Might not our new Grammar 

 School, which has been opened so auspiciously, furnish instruc- 

 tors ? What is needed is, for some earnest-minded ladies to take 

 the initiative by forming themselves into an association to organ- 

 ize classes, obtain teachers, and make and superintend the 

 necessary arrangements. Let me here state that in connection 

 with the Grammar School evenmg classes for the study of botany 

 and geology, and open to the pubhc, have already been com- 

 menced. A chemical laboratory is in the process of being fitted 

 up, which will be available to others besides the pupils of the 

 school. This will prove a most valuable local aid for the 

 advancement of chemical science. Is it not time to think of 

 providing some better pubhc occupation for our winter evenings. 

 There is one recreation which fairly comes within the province 

 of both science and art, — that of music. Our choral and musical 

 societies have already done something to promote the culture of 



