15 



be incorporated with a body more numerous than our own were not 

 acceded to ; and I do trust, that in future, no proposal will be listened to 

 for the admission of any collective body within our ranks otherwise 

 than by individual ballot, in conformity with the law regulating the 

 election of members. 



Those questions affecting its constitution, and even its separate 

 existence, which have agitated the Society during the few years ante- 

 cedent to the present, being definitely set at rest, it is hoped that the 

 undivided attention of tho members will be now concentrated upon 

 carrying out the objects for which the Society was originally called into 

 existence, viz., the cultivation of literature and philosophy, and the ad- 

 vancement of these blessings of civilisation in our town and neighbourhood. 



Among the considerations which, in my opinion, should deter us 

 from entertaining any project for an amalgamation with another Society 

 (should such be again brought forward) at a future period, I take leave 

 to mention that it has never been the policy or practice of this Society 

 to canvass for members, or to solicit patronage, and that the appoint- 

 ment to its most honourable offices should be considered due to those 

 who have laboured most for the pi'omotion of its objects and interest. 

 It is not by courting popularity, or devising measures for keeping the 

 Society continually before the public eye, or by flattering the vanity of 

 its members, that the permanent success or real interests of the Society 

 can be promoted ; but by pursuing steadily, unostentatiously, and with 

 singleness of pin-pose, the worthy and important objects set before us, we 

 may hope that the Society will gather strength gradually, " occulto velut 

 arbor cevo," will extend the sphere of its influence, and become a not un- 

 worthy coadj utor of the British Association for the Advancement of S cience, 

 and other combinations for promoting the gi'eat cause of human progress. 



It has been said that " Liverpool has done but little for science, 

 though science has done much for Liverpool," and it is to be feared, not- 

 withstanding the high scientific reputation achieved by a few of our 

 townsmen, that too much ground has existed for the imputation. Our 

 town ofi"ers but few inducements for the man of leisure to take up his 

 residence among us ; we have as yet no university to furnish in its 

 staff of professors a centre and rallying point to those inclined to 

 intellectual pursuits ; while the wealthier classes, though not so blind 

 to their direct interest as not to encourage the researches of a Compass 

 Committee, have been too much absorbed in the turmoil of business to 

 devote any considerable portion of tlieir time to the encouragement or 

 cultivation of abstract science, or anything not promising to contribute 

 directly to success in their money-seeking pursuits. I am happy to 

 think, however, that this cause of reproach, if it is not already removed, 



