Mr. J. Britton’s Address. 45 
These and a thousand other such things, unnoticed by many, 
but discovered at every turn by the student in Ornithology, point 
out how perfect are the works of God, how varied and beautiful, 
how suited to their several positions are the creatures of His hand. 
The contemplation of them not only fills the heart with pleasure, 
but lifts it up in praise and adoration to the great and bountiful 
Creator, whose least work so far surpasses the greatest triumph of 
the most scientific men. 
In coneluding this paper, I may perhaps be allowed to express 
a hope, that the Inauguration of this and other kindred Associa- 
tions may be the dawn of a happier era of kindness towards the 
whole animal creation; that the system of wanton persecution of 
God’s creatures, hitherto unhappily so much practised in this 
country, and especially among the uneducated classes, may now at 
length receive a timely check from the remonstrances of those who 
compose this Society. The persecution of which I complain is in 
many cases prompted by ignorance of the true habits of the animal 
persecuted ; in more cases by superstitious fears, in most, by a sheer 
love of cruelty ; but I trust that this Society, as it advances, will 
kindle in its members so true an appreciation of the whole animal 
creation, that it may be a means of putting an effectual check to 
this barbarity, as well as of dispelling the many erroneous and 
absurd fictions respecting the furred and feathered tribes, now, alas 
for their safety, so generally rife. 
ADDRESS BY JOHN BRITTON, 
For the Inaugural Meeting of the Wiltshire Archzeological and Natural 
History Society, October 12th, 1853, 
It is usually thought and asserted, that in o/d age all the physical 
and mental powers of man become torpid and insensible. What- 
ever may be the case in other instances, I can venture to assert that 
in my 83rd year, my nervous and bodily system are as susceptible 
of pain, whilst my mental sensibilities are as acute, as they were in 
days of youth. Hence all the beauties of nature—the countless 
wonders of the world—the finer works of art—the numerous but 
better productions of literary talent, are sources of never-tiring 
enjoyment ; whilst the company and confidential intercourse with 
men of congenial minds and pursuits, continue to excite the tripartite 
leasures of “imagination,” of “memory,” and of “ friendship.” 
lence time never seems to flag—days are too short for the duties 
and gratifications which every succeeding morning presents—and 
