160 BURTON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
yet succeeded in carrying them out, and what probability there 
is of their further extension. Our principal aim in everything 
we have done is to encourage a taste for Natural History in 
persons of all ranks and employments. Now there are two 
ways of imparting knowledge on this subject—one by books, 
the other by specimens; we prefer the latter mode of instruc- 
tion as being the easiest method of conveying ideas, and the 
best calculated to make a lasting impression on the mind.” 
‘«Tt may be, and, I know, has been said, that our intentions 
will not meet with sufficient encouragement in a small town 
such as this, and in a neighbourhood where no prominent 
features are apparent to excite the enthusiasm of a Natural- 
ist—that the novelty of the plan may give our Society a 
momentary popularity, but ere long it will sink into oblivion 
and neglect. I cannot bring my mind to participate in any 
such disastrous conclusions. I am firmly persuaded on the 
contrary that, by the Divine Blessing, our labours will be 
crowned with success, and that when an interest is once 
created among our friends, they will never withhold their 
support. At our Annual Meetings we shall always hope to 
provide for them an intellectual feast, and I am sure they will 
have too much taste to decline our invitation. Besides, has 
there been so little attachment shown to science in this town 
as to warrant such gloomy forebodings? Are there not con- 
signed to our custody valuable deposits of birds, fossils, and 
minerals which certain scientific inhabitants of Burton have 
been for years collecting for their own private amusement ?>— 
a plain proof surely of the want of a local museum, where their 
present acquisitions may be securely placed. With such 
advantages at the commencement of our career, we have 
little reason to fear any subsequent want of exertion on the 
part of our members. We invite further contributions either 
in the shape of gifts or deposits; in the latter instance, those 
friends who will leave their specimens in our hands may feel 
assured that they will be taken care of, as if they belonged to 
