Review. 171 



" You will observe, gentlemen, that I speak of the 

 printing of our Transactions. I do not suppose, that this 

 is a step which can be taken immediately. But if the 

 Society continue to be conducted in the manner I hope 

 to see it conducted ; if it be supported by the talents 

 and the zeal of the members who now compose it ; I 

 cannot entertain a doubt, that, in less than three years 

 from the present period, we may be in possession of 

 materials for an original, and interesting volume ; a 

 volume which shall reflect honour upon the Society, 

 extend the empire of natural history, and teach our 

 countrymen the real utility and importance of a science 

 to which they have just, as it were, begun to pay any 

 attention ; a science which may be said to date its 

 origin, in Pennsylvania, if not in the United- States, 

 from the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty* 

 nine. 



" I do not despair of seeing the Society in possession 

 of a room of its own. I hope to see its members in 

 possession of a good and even extensive library. 

 The latter may be formed without much difficulty, and 

 at a very moderate expence, whenever the Society 

 shall show, by its transactions or proceedings, that it is 

 at all worthy of the name which it bears. I think that 

 some of your attention should be directed towards the 

 formation of a museum, or collection of natural ob- 

 jects, particularly such as belong to the American con- 

 tinent. I neither wish nor expect to see the Society 

 engaged very extensively in this business, as there is 

 already established among us a museum of great 

 value, and which does honour to its founder, and 



