144 Belfast Natural History Society. 



they came to the resolution of erecting a building, on a moderate 

 scale, for themselves. It was at this period that the idea ot'cxtend- 

 ing their plan was suggested, and that they were recommended by 

 some of their members and scientific friends to attempt the erec- 

 tion of such a building as would be creditable to the taste of the 

 town, and useful as a public institution to this part of the country, 

 A circular stating the objects of the Society was published ; in 

 which the importance of public Museums was pointed out, and a 

 plan for raising a suflicient fund for the purpose of erecting this 

 building developed. In this the members of the Society dis- 

 claimed any individual right of property in their collections. They 

 were anxious to diffuse, as widely as circumstances would permit, 

 the benefits it vvas calculated to confer; and they undertook to 

 maintain the Museum at their expense. Subscription lists were 

 now opened, a spirit which had until then lain dormant vvas roused, 

 and above 1000/. was in a short time subscribed. A Committee to 

 carry tlie plan into effect was appointed ; a design of the building 

 was agreed on ; and the edifice in which we now assemble was 

 commenced ; the foundation stone having been laid on the 5th of 

 May, 1S30, by the Marquis of Donegal, who by this act, by a 

 liberal subscription to the undertaking, and by enrolling his name 

 among the honorary members of the Society, evinced his desire to 

 promote the literary advancement of the town. Since that time, 

 additional subscriptions have been received ; and the list now 

 amounts to 144'.iZ. lOi. 6d.: of this sum, 1404/. 12s. 6d. has ac- 

 tually been collected and paid into the hands of the Treasurer, 

 which still leaves a sum of 40/. uncollected. As circumstances 

 have occurred which may prevent the payment of part of this sum, 

 it is probable that not much above 1400/. of the present subscrip- 

 tion can with certainty be calculated upon. Such parts of the 

 building as are immediately required are now completed ; the total 

 sum expended, including all the incidental expenses inseparable 

 from a new undertaking, amounts to 1900/. or nearly '.^000/. ; so 

 that a debt of between 500/. and 600/. has, on the whole, been in- 

 curred. Such is the slight sketch prepared by the Council, of the 

 origin, progress, and present state of the Natural History Society. 

 The future prospect is one on which they feel pleasure in dilating; 

 in confidence, that the liberal and enlightened spirit which has car- 

 ried them thus far, will bear them onward in a prosperous, useful, 

 and honourable career. It is most desirable that their efforts 

 should be unfettered by debt, and that the most scrupulous ceco- 

 nomy should be employed in the expenditure. Tiie latter has 

 been uniformly observed, and will, if possible, be even more rigo- 

 rously attended to for the future; with respect to the former, they 

 have good ground for sanguine expectations. Many liberal and 

 vveallhy persons have not yet been applied to for subscriptions ; 

 some have signified their intention of increasing the sum originally 

 bestowed, and all seem willing to aid in a greater or less degree. 

 Several persons also, anxious to avoid burthening the Society with 

 the payment of interest on the debt, have proposed that the amount 



should 



