O INAUGURAL"ADDRE86. 



found in an introductory paper, written by the Rev. Dr. Lillie, 

 in the first volume of the Tasmanian Journal, published in 

 1842: — "The members of the Tasmanian Society would not 

 be understood as holding forth pretensions to the ambitious 

 appellation of philosophers, in the modern acceptation of the 

 term. On the contrary, they are deeply sensible that, in 

 matters of science, they are rather to be estimated by the sin- 

 cerity and fondness of their attachment, than either the 

 strength of their powers or the extent of their actual attain- 

 ments. Most of them are actively engaged in professional and 

 other necessary duties, which render it impossible for them to 

 give more than a very limited share of their attention to 

 scientific pursuits ; and all of them labour under the great 

 disadvantage of a wide separation from the philosophical 

 institutions and men of science in Europe. Living in this 

 new and remote quarter of the world, where there is so 

 much to awaken curiosity, they were naturally led, by the 

 very novelty of the subjects, as well as for the sake of their 

 own mental improvement, to devote their few leisure 

 moments to the study of external Nature ; and, in coming 

 thus broadly before the public, their object has principally 

 been, besides stimulating and giving method and scope to 

 their own exertions, to incite and cherish a kindred spirit 

 of inquiry among their fellow-colonists. Under the con- 

 viction that they are now living at the fountain head of 

 what promises ere long to swell into a mighty stream of 

 civilization, they have been anxious to impress upon that 

 stream, while it is yet susceptible of it, a salutary direction 

 towards liberal and scientific pursuits. And the hope which 

 especially animates them is, that their exertions, humble and 

 feeble as they are, may be the means of rousing abler minds 

 to put forth their energies in the same noble cause. They 

 consider themselves only in the light of pioneers, humbly 

 leading the way to the accomplishment of a most worthy 

 and desirable end ; and, while they are conscious of the 

 slenderness of their resources for such an important object, 

 they are not without hopes that the excellence of their 

 design will in some measure atone for the imperfection and 

 faultiness of its execution." 



As regards the writer of these words — the Rev. Dr. Lillie — 

 who was a very remarkable man, something beyond a mere 

 passing notice is required. Born and educated in Scotland, 

 Dr. Lillie came out to Tasmania in 1837 as Minister of 



