PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 115 
their artistic excellence as well as for their fidelity to nature. Miss 
Chandler’s herbarium, the President’s collections of bones, insects, fossils, 
and shells, and many more objects, filled every available space; indeed, it 
was difficult to find room for all the articles sent. The Society is under 
great obligation to Mr, Miles, who, with the permission of Lord Carrington, 
gave a life and brilliancy to the scene by his tasteful arrangement of some 
magnificent azaleas, caladiums, ferns, &c. 
The members and friends assembled about 7 p.m.; and at 7°30 the Presi- 
dent took the chair, supported by Mr. Sharpe, the Secretary, Members of 
the Committee, and others, and delivered his 
ANNUAL ADDRESS. 
Upon looking back on the past year of the Society’s operations, there is 
but little which calls for special observation. Our winter meetings have 
been well attended. Upon the whole they have been very interesting, and 
in many cases they have been highly instructive. The subjects that have 
engaged our attention have been very varied. The conversations that have 
followed the subjects introduced have been very satisfactory. There is 
reason to think that these discussions have especially awakened the interest 
of those whose attention had not been directed towards scientific subjects. 
May we not hope that this first dawn of interest in the mind, like the dawn 
of daylight in the outer world, will increase and increase till it has matured 
itself in advanced attainments and enjoyments. While attending to the 
many communications that have engaged the attention of the members, we 
seem to have diyed into the ocean, to haye delved into the earth, to have 
sought an acquaintance with the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and 
the fishes of the sea. We have read the *‘ sermons in stones, books in the 
running brooks,” and have tried to get good out of everything. I regret to 
say that our excursions during the summer have not been so numerous 5, 
so well attended as could haye been desired. Perhaps many legitimate 
causes may have prevented the members from engaging in this most instruc- 
tive mode of studying nature in its native state. Still we regret it. There 
is more to be learnt in the fields than in the lecture room, in the home of 
creation than by bringing creation into our own home. The examination 
or discussion of collected objects may be important—may interest and in- 
terest and instruct the mind, and may awaken within us enlarged apprehen- 
sions of the Creator’s wisdom and goodness. But modes of life, growth, and 
action, can be learnt nowhere so well as in the native haunts of animal and 
vegetable existence. ‘‘ A well-set cabinet of British bees, is worth going a 
pilgrimage to sce ;” so writes one of our most distinguished Hymenopterists. 
How much more delightful and soul-tbrilling to see these bees flitting about 
