33 



Tlio R".v. J. P. Aloock having taken the chair, on the 

 motion of Robert Furley, Esq., proceeded to open the pro- 

 ceedings. Defore entering upon the business for which 

 they had assembled be wished to express his heartfelt 

 thanks to Almighty God for the blessed change which had 

 taken place in the weather, and the commenceraent of a 

 season in which they might gather the fruits of the earth, 

 so that in due time they might enjoy thera. (Hear, hear.) 

 He felt great interest in the study of natural history, and 

 he was glad to see so large a company gathered together on 

 that occasion. When people really enjoyed nature, and 

 took an interest in butterfles and insects, be looked upon it 

 as proof of cultivated taste and kindness of heart. He was 

 greatly pleased to see the beautiful specimens arranged 

 round the room, and he directed particular atteation to the 

 collections of moths and butterflies, and birds and insects 

 exhibited by those who must have devoted a great deal of 

 time and incurred no small expense in their collection and 

 classification. The study of natural history exercised a 

 great and improving influence, and in proportion as the 

 love of nature increased there was a softening of heart, 

 and they could perceive a change for the better. (Hear, 

 hear.) To the lover of natural history every locality had 

 its distinct charms and distinguishing beauties, which those 

 who did not share the taste could not either feel or appre- 

 ciate. A great change had taken place of late years, which 

 he believed might be attributed to the spread of education 

 and the circulation of cheap and excellent books. He held 

 in his hand a volume on entomology, published twenty-five 

 years ago, and the price of which at that time was £2 14s. ; 

 and he also held in his hand a volume by W. S. Coleman, 

 recently published, the cost of which was only Is. 

 (Cheers.) He again remarked that he rejoiced to see so 

 large a meeting, indicating as it did the extent to which 

 the taste for Natural History had spread among the people 

 of that locality. No one knew the inducements to enter 

 heartily into the study more than he did himself, and he 

 would earnestly-cntreat them all, but the young particu- 



