4 
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he himself perceived, that physic would be a very 
secondary object: his first undoubtedly was to com- 
plete the design which he and several of his friends 
had long kept in view, the establishment of a new 
Society, and thus to render his possession of the 
cabinets and library of Linnzus subservient to the 
general use of natural science, and especially of 
botany. 
With the assistance of Sir Joseph Banks, Dr. 
Goodenough, Mr. Marsham, and a few others, this 
object was carried into effect; and the first meeting 
of its members was held at his own house in Great 
Marlborough-street, on the 8th of April 1788, on 
which occasion Sir James delivered “4 Discourse 
on the Rise and Progress of Natural History ;’—an 
animated and most instructive address, auspicious 
of the prosperity of the new-formed Institution, 
and which affords a convincing proof that the study 
of nature is not a tasteless and insipid one. He 
was at the same time appointed President of the 
community, which was designated by the appro- 
priate name of “'The Linnean Society.” 
“T consider myself,” he observed, “as a trustee 
of the public, and hold these treasures only for the 
purpose of making them useful to the world and 
Natural History in general, and particularly to this 
Society, of which I glory in having contributed to 
lay the foundation, and to the service of which I 
shall joyfully consecrate my labours, so long as it 
continues to answer the purposes for which it is 
designed.” 
This Institution, venerable now by its duration, 
