Geographical Society of London. 153 



fusion of that most important, useful, and interesting branch of 

 knowledge. Geography : That a new Society might therefore be 

 formed under the name of The Geographical Society of Lon- 

 don : That the interest excited by this department of science 

 is universally felt ; that its advantages are of the first import- 

 ance to mankind in general, and paramount to the welfare of a 

 maritime nation, like Great Britain, w^ith its numerous and ex- 

 tensive foreign possessions : That its decided utility in confer- 

 ring just and distinct notions of the physical and political rela- 

 tions of our globe must be obvious to every one ; and is the 

 more enhanced by this species of knowledge being attainable 

 without much difficulty, while at the same time it affords a co- 

 pious source of rational amusement : That, although there is a 

 vast store of geographical information existing, yet it is so scat- 

 tered and dispersed, either in large books that are not generally 

 accessible, or in the bureaus of the public departments, or in the 

 possession of private individuals, as to be nearly unavailable to 

 the public. 



The object, then, of such a Society as is now suggested would 

 be, 1. To collect, register, and digest, and to print for the use 

 of the members, and the public at large, in a cheap form and at 

 certain intervals, such new, interesting, and useful facts and dis- 

 coveries, as the Society may have in its possession, and may 

 from time to time acquire. 2. To accumulate gradually a 

 library of the best books on Geography — a selection of the 

 best Voyages and Travels — a complete collection of Maps and 

 Charts, from the earliest period of rude geographical delineations, 

 no the most improved of the present time ; as well as all such 

 documents and materials as may convey the best information to 

 persons intending to visit foreign countries; it being of the greatest 

 utility to a traveller to be aware, previous to his setting out, 

 of what has been already done, and what is still wanting, in the 

 countries he may intend to visit. 3. To procure specimens of 

 such instruments as experience has shewn to be most useful, and 

 best adapted to the compendious stock of a traveller, by consult- 

 ing which, he may make himself familiar with their use. 4. 

 To prepare brief instructions for such as are setting out on their 

 travels; pointing out the parts most desirable to be visited ; the 

 best and most [)ratticable means of proceeding thither ; the re- 



