102 OBSERVATIONS ON THE DIFFUSION OF 



should contain separate accommodation for each society, would be 

 highly desirable. Another handsome edifice might then be added 

 to those already adorning our town, and increased facilities afforded 

 for the furtherance of the objects which these societies have in view. 

 I do not, however, consider myself capable of giving an opinion as 

 to the practicability or working of such a plan. 



To those who are already members of our Institution it would be 

 quite superfluous to address a word in the shape of an appeal for 

 greater exertions in its behalf. Of the necessity for these, at this 

 particular time, they are well aware. There are, however, others 

 here this evening who are not enrolled in our list of members, but 

 who, by their presence, evince an interest in the subject. To such, 

 and through them to the inhabitants of the town at large, I may 

 be allowed to address a few words. To those among them who 

 have become possessed of wealth, either by inheritance or by personal 

 industry, I would suggest that a connection with scientific institu- 

 tions is one from which they cannot but derive pleasure, and may 

 derive improvement. It is a pleasure, as well as a duty, to employ 

 that wealth which the bounty of Providence has bestowed in so no- 

 ble a work as the diffusion of scientific knowledge ; and if their at- 

 tention shall be turned, by having engaged in its diffusion, to the 

 acquirement of that knowledge for themselves, their gain will be 

 great indeed. They will also find it to their interest. The surest 

 protection to property will be found in the removal of ignorance 

 and the extension of mental improvement among the labouring 

 classes. Taught to reflect, and to trace the connection between 

 cause and effect, they will soon learn to protect the property of 

 others, and to create it for themselves by honest industry and thrifty 

 management. The legislature has done much towards raising a bar- 

 rier against imprudence and dishonesty, and thus stemming the tide 

 that would soon have swept into the vortex of idleness and profli- 

 gacy the property of the honest and industrious : but the completion 

 of the cure must be effected by the improvement of the moral feel- 

 ings of the working classes, and by their increased mental cultiva- 

 tion. 



By these means our glorious constitution will be safely and 

 soundly renovated, and its pillars and bulwarks will be so strength- 

 ened that the Gothic pile shall be supported in all the freshness of 

 its youthful days, and shall be effectually defended against the as- 

 saults of its bitterest foes. For, as there can be no greater evil in a 

 state, than an increasing estrangement between the different classes 

 of society in feelings and thought, so there is no surer test of its 



