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to the love and the successul study of science. The more 

 they will become acquainted, by means of those interest- 

 ing studies, with the wonders great and small of creation, 

 the more they will admire and love their creator. They 

 will expend, raise and improve their hearts and their minds 

 and be rewarded by the purest and noblest enjoyment. 



I hope this Society which has now existed for very 

 nearly half a century, may continue to prosper ; that the 

 number of its members may continue to increase ; and 

 that, in co-operation with Mr Bouton, its distinguished 

 Secretary, who is now its only surviving founder, and 

 whose report entirely written with his own firm hand, has 

 just proved that advancing age has weakened neither his 

 intellect nor his love of science, we may long continue our 

 labours with advantage to ourselves and to others, (Ap- 

 plause.) 



