A prominent feature in tho procoodinijs of last session has been the attempt 

 made by the Committee, on several occasions, to convey instruction in a mora 

 systematic form than heretofore. Taking advantage of the universal interest 

 lately excited in the words of Shakspero, a series of three papers was arranged 

 so as to exhibit some of the leading traits of our great author's genius. And 

 the originality and exhaustive care with which those papers were prepared by Mr 

 Chalmers, Mr Stephens, and Mr Story, deserve our very highest commenda- 

 tion. On the same principle, an engagement was entered into with Mr Slruthers, 

 of Glasgow, to deliver a course of popular lectures on Geology at tho close of 

 the session. These have been received with general and sustained gratifi- 

 cation, and are acknowledged to have done much good. And, in the third in- 

 stance, tho printing of Dr Joule's lecture (kindly permitted by the author) will 

 preserve the recollection of a discourse which, long hence, will be turned to with 

 respectful interest. 



Through the friendly ofiBcos of Professor "William Thomson, of Glasgow, the 

 Society was favored in January last — on tho anniversary of Watt's birth — with 

 a visit from Dr Joule, of JIanchester, who then delivered the lecture on tho 

 science of Heat to which allusion has just been made. A more distinguished 

 muk of honor could not have been paid to tho memory of the groat engineer. 

 In a note addressed to the Committee, Professor Thomson remarks, with refer- 

 ence to Joule's investigations : — " I cannot conceive of any series of researches 

 in science, to know which would have given Watt greater pleasure, had ho lived 

 to see them." 



The meetings of the Art Association have been regularly carried on during 

 the winter. The object of the members of this little association is to cultivato 

 their own improvement in tho drawing of the figure, and they have made 

 gratifying progress within the last session. 



A Cabinet has lately been purchased to contain the Society's Flerbarium ; 

 and a considerable number of native genera and species have since been added 

 to the collection. 



An attractive supplement to Mr Struthers's geological lectures is tho series of 

 visits to interesting localities, which have already been commenced. The 

 Committee may be permitted to suggest, that, with a little organisati^in, in such 

 a neighbourhood as ours, it would be easy to maintain a system of Excursions, 

 to be annually enjoyed by the members. He who would acquire even a general 

 idea of the infinite fulness and variety of nature can hope to realise it only in 

 the field. 



The members have been made aware of certain changes, which, after very 

 careful consideration, are now proposed for the permanent advantage of the 

 Society ; and the Committee cherish the hope that, in future sessions, with an 

 increased revenue, and with the cordial co-operation of the membors, the Society 

 may be efficiently maintained as a centre of knowledge and taste in the town of 

 Greenock. 



