326 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



where Civil and Religious Liberty sits triumphant on her throne. 

 Long may that throne be established in wisdom and supported by 

 prudence ! Never may its foundation be subverted, or moderation, 

 its best support, withdrawn ! Never may it be levelled in the dust, 

 either by the despotism of one, or the licentiousness of many ! May 

 it be lasting and immovable as our island itself, baffling the storms of 

 faction, as Britain " bciffles tcith her hoar cliffs the loud sea-tvave." 



Allow me for a few moments more, to make an observation con- 

 nected with the future welfare of our Society. In the term Philoso- 

 phical, is legitimately denoted not only Moral but likewise Natural 

 Philosophy, including also Natural History, which comprises some 

 choice treasures that address themselves not to the ear, but to the 

 eye. Do you then think that it is possible for us, by our combined 

 energies, to form a collection of such treasures ? The soil on which 

 we daily tread is not quite devoid of minerals, ^yitness the beautiful 

 mines of Gypsum, quite in our neighbourhood. The Coal-mines are 

 near, and no stratum is richer in geological treasures than the carbo- 

 niferous limestone. Barrow is also within a few miles; and we have 

 abundant evidence, that there, in the olden time, have been " creeping 

 things innumerable ;" while that splendid antediluvian the Ichthyo- 

 saurus, has disported himself abundantly with his fellows, in the quiet 

 waters which then surrounded it. Burrow Hill is also rich in stores 

 of another stratum ; and I might point out many other productive 

 spots quite within our reach. But above all, our own beautiful Fo- 

 rest, modestly rearing, with primitive dignity, its granite- crowned 

 head from the centre of the earth, abounds in geological interest; and 

 I scarcely know a more exquisite luxury, than to inhale the healthful 

 air, on a bright sunny day, while engaged in scientific research, on 

 the summits of those breezy hills. 



Shall we then begin a collectiou ? That is the point which I would 

 now earnestly press upon your attention. If you are convinced, that 

 such a concentration of materials would be of no less ornament than 

 use to our district, I would add with pleasure, that my own very 

 limited collection of specimens, niineralogical and geological, shall 

 be most cordially presented to this Society, in the hope that it may 

 form a nucleus, round which a variety of interesting and more va- 

 Ibable stores may be collected. The gift will be really no sacrifice 

 to me. For, I had immense pleasure in making the collection many 

 years ago ; but except the gi-atification of shewing its contents to an 

 occasional friend, with me they are actually useless; and luy impera- 

 tive duties leave me so little time to attend to them, that their very 

 names are fading from my memor}^ If you thus kindly accept them, 

 and they should generate in any individual a love of inquiry, or 

 stimulate research, I have my recompense. 



There is only one other remark that I would add, namely, that if 

 we would harmonize, refine and adorn our philosophy, particularly 

 if we would successfully extend our researches to Botany, or some 

 other departments of Natural History, we must pay our court to 



