THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 327 



gaged in commercial or professional pursuits, it 

 cannot be expected that gentlemen will be found, 

 who can afford to dedicate their time to the details 

 of abstract science. The institutions of Bristol, 

 and, as we believe, of Manchester, have seen this, 

 and have accordingly appointed curators to their 

 museums and libraries ; the duties of which, quite 

 distinct from those of the secretary, can only be 

 advantageously performed by a person well versed 

 in taxidermy, or the preservation of animals ; and 

 who has a competent knowledge of practical natural 

 history in general. Such individuals are always to 

 be found, but their remuneration must be propor- 

 tionably adequate, and sufficient to render the 

 situation respectable. A zoological garden has re- 

 cently been established at Liverpool ; which, as an 

 ornament to the town, and a recreation to its inha- 

 bitants, will, doubtless, be much encouraged ; and 

 may in time lead to some useful and scientific 

 purpose. 



(231.) There is yet another institution, or ra- 

 ther society, of a higher and more comprehensive 

 description than those just noticed, and which dif- 

 fers most materially from all the local associations 

 we have yet noticed. We allude to the British 

 Association for the Advancement of Science, in- 

 stituted very recently, in imitation of that scientific 

 congress of learned men upon the Continent, whose 

 proceedings have become so celebrated. Some 

 misapprehensions respecting the objects embraced 

 by our British Association arose in the first instance, 

 which deterred several of our working savans from 

 immediately joining it : doubts also were entertained 

 Y 4? 



