146 



executors and family of the late Joseph B. Yates, Esq., and the 

 Secretary was requested to return the special thanks of the Society. 



The Secretary submitted the following communications from the 

 Council, both of which were unanimously adopted by the Society : 

 First, — That application be made to the Committee of the Eoyal 

 Institution for a bookcase in which to deposit the donation of the 

 executors and family of Mr. J. B. Yates and the other books belonging 

 to the Society ; with a suggestion that the whole be open for reference 

 to the Members of the Royal Institution, as well as to the Society. 

 Second, — That two excursions be made during the summer by members 

 and their friends, and that the officers of the Society be requested to 

 form a committee for carrying out the arrangements. 



Mr. NisBET exhibited an autograph letter, written by Lord Nelson, 

 to his daughter, a few days before the battle of Trafalgar. It had been 

 twenty-five years in possession of the lady who gave it to the present 

 owner, Mr. Nelson. Much interest was excited by this letter, which 

 was in the following terms : — 



Victory, October 19, 1805. 



Mt Dearest Angel, — I was made Iiappy by the pleasure of receiving your 

 letter of September 19tli, and I rejoice to hear that you are so very good a girl, 

 and love my dear Lady Hamilton, who most dearly loves you. Give her a kiss 

 for me. The combined fleets of the enemy are now reported to be coming out of 

 Cadiz, and therefore I answer your letter, my dearest Horatia, to mark to you 

 that you are ever uppermost in my thoughts. I shall be sure of your prayers 

 for my safety, conquest, and speedy return to dear Merton and our dearest good 

 Lady Hamilton. Be a good girl. Mind what Miss Connor says to you. Eeceive, 

 my dearest Horatia, the aflfectiouate parental blessing of your father, 



NELSON AND BRONTE. 



Dr. Thomson exhibited an Eolis papillosa which he had been 

 necessitated to expel from his aquarium in consequence of its preda- 

 toi'y habits ; nevertheless, it bore captivity well, and was an interesting 

 animal. He explained how it did battle with its prey, and, in 

 illustration of its appetite, mentioned that it had, during a week, 

 devoured nearly one-half of three actinea. His remarks upon the 

 habits of some of the creatures of the aquarium drew forth some 

 interesting and useful information from Dr. Edwards, who has been 

 long a close observer. 



The paper for the evening was then read by Dr. Cael Eetslag, 



ON THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE PHILOSO- 

 PHERS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 

 The author drew a very unfavourable picture, particularly referring 

 to the dreamy and abstract nature of the religion of the times, and the 

 evil character of its reactionary effect upon the public mind. 



