MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 93 



Appear surprising tbat such an oliject .should have hitherto been neglected. 

 This deficiency is now, however, to be supplied, and in such a manner as, 

 it is to be hoped, will satisfy every votary of science. Although previous 

 abortive attempts had been made to effect this object, the merit of it rests 

 with several members of the Lininvau Society, whose success confers equal 

 honour on the society by which it was promoted and on their enlightened 

 exertions. On the suggestion of this undertaking, it was immediately sup- 

 ported by many noblemen and gentlemen of every shade of politics, pro- 

 moters of science, arts, and manufactures, and they concurred in the 

 propriety of requesting the assistance of government. The Inner Circle of 

 the Regent's Park being about to be vacated, they signed a memorial to her 

 Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests, requesting them to appro- 

 priate this site for such a laudable object. It confers the highest honour 

 on this Administration, and on the members of her Majesty's government, 

 and is a high proof of their desire to encourage science, that they instantly 

 acquiesced in tlie propriety of devoting the ground for these purposes to a 

 public society, instead of making it the object of individual speculation. On 

 this concession, a farther application was made for the patronage of Her 

 Majesty and the Duchess of Kent ; and, it is needless to say, that it was 

 given with a generosity worthy of the illustrious personages and of the 

 great public object concerned. 



The names of the supporters of this society, are a strong guarantee of 

 its proper management, and we are happy to say that their expressed in- 

 tentions are a good augury of the success of the institution. Its scientilic 

 objects are intended to be carried on in a manner commensurate with the 

 dignity of the country, while it devotes an express attention to the encour- 

 agement of cultivation, arts, and manufactures. Public utility is the best 

 guarantee of its success, and its promoters may feel assured, that keeping - 

 this object in view will always ensure its support. Even if a tasie for such 

 an institution did not exist, it is always the effect of well directed efforts to 

 create it; and how far these may be successful, we see in the impulse which 

 is given to mechanical science by the Koyal Gallery of Science and the 

 Polytechnic Institution, which are absolutely creations of the last ten years, 

 within which period botanical studies have acquired a still greater impulse. 



The society will be constituted similarly to other scientific societies, and 

 will be under the management of a president and council, composed of fel- 

 lows and members. It will doubtless, be incorporated by Royal Charter, and 

 its importance can hardly fail to obtain for it great influence ; while the man- 

 ner in which it is regarded by the Linnsean Horticultural Medico, and other 

 Botanical Societies, does honor to their enlightened liberality, and to the 

 cause of science. 



The site chosen is the inner circle of Regent's Park, lately occupied as 

 Jenkins' nursery ground ; its extent exceeds eighteen acres. That its po- 

 sition is eligible is best proved by referring to the neighbouring grounds of 

 the Zoological Society, while its size is fully competent for the purpose in- 

 tended. Many eminent gardens contain only three acres, while few exceed 

 twenty, and where they do they are employed either in the cultivation of 

 medicinal plants for the hospitals, or in the growth of fruit for the market. 

 Its appropriation will be no encroachment on public enjoyments, while if 

 properly directed, it cannot fail to confer great advautage on the whole 

 empire. 



The artistical details of the plan, as shewn in the accompanying drawing, 

 are formed upon an observance of the most enlightened principles, and it has 

 been the endeavour, in this department and in others, to make science and 

 art equally conducive to the improvement of popular taste. This portion of 

 the subject is deserving of particular attention, as it is by what is presented 

 to the public eye tbat they will be induced to judge of the merits of the re- 

 mainder. However interesting a mere planted surface might prove to the 

 man of science, something more is requisite to the meie discursive visitant, 



