J 00 OBSERVATIONS ON THK DIFFUSION OF 



these premises, and you will be pleased to hear that the British As- 

 sociation has voted a sum of money for the erection of a similar one 

 at Plymouth, and that the French Institute have sent for plans and 

 drawings of it, for the purpose of testing its utility at Paris. It is 

 indeed a beautiful instrument, combining time with meteorological 

 observations, and causing the wind and rain to record their own 

 operations. 



Now, in reviewing the past history of this Institution, we cannot 

 but see that much has been done for the diffusion of scientific know- 

 ledge, and something for its promotion ; and to those who, after 

 having watched over its interests and forwarded its objects during a 

 long course of years, are now arrived at the autumn of their days, 

 the recollection of the past must be highly gratifying. But we, 

 who are in the spring or summer of life must not confine our view 

 to the past : we must compare the present state of our society with 

 the wants of the town, and examine whether it yet contains all the 

 necessary means for the furtherance of its objects. In short, we 

 must take up the work which our elders have so well begun, and 

 carry out their designs more and more. In doing this, our first at- 

 tention must be directed to its management ; for if that be defec- 

 tive or conducted upon wrong principles, the actions which flow 

 from it must partake of its taint. The Managing Committee is 

 elected every year by the subscribers, from their own body ; so that 

 the society can refuse to re-nominate any member of the Committee 

 in whose judgment or conduct they may no longer have confidence. 

 I have been sufficiently long upon this committee to enable me to 

 speak decidedly as to the intentions of its members and the spirit 

 which pervades their councils. Actuated by no narrow or sectarian 

 views in politics or religion, their sole aim is to carry out fully and 

 without reserve, the great objects of the Institution — the diffusion 

 and promotion of scientific knowledge. Had I detected the least 

 trace of an opposite spirit, I should have immediately withdrawn 

 myself from them, as I will never consent to be mixed up with the 

 extremes of any party. But I know that their motives are good ; 

 and they court the fullest and most searching inquiry into their 

 actions. 



Our attention must be next turned to the state of the building, 

 museums, apparatus, &c, &c. The building in which we are now 

 assembled is found to be perfectly inadequate to the wants of the 

 Institution. Many of the geological specimens, which are every 

 day pouring in upon us, are still unpacked, as there is no room for 

 their reception There is no museum of zoology or comparative 



