38 ZETETICAL SOCIETY. [1833. 



chase. In the same volume are copious extracts from 

 Dufrenoy and Elie de Beaumont, Cuvier, Galeotti, &c. 



In 1833 Prestwich established an association for 

 mutual aid and self-improvement named the " Zetetical 

 Society " l among young men of his own age, and all of 

 whom were his personal friends, one of their number 

 being [Dr] G. Owen Rees. The rules were set forth in 

 a small pamphlet. 



According to Rule II., " The object of this Society 

 shall be the cultivation of scientific and literary know- 

 ledge, by placing at the disposal of the members a 

 library, museum, and apparatus ; and its proceedings 

 shall consist of lectures, essays, and discussions upon 

 all subjects save those of a theological nature." Each 

 member had in turn to give a lecture, or propose a 

 subject for discussion, under the penalty of a fine. The 

 society started with fifteen members ; the weekly meet- 

 ings were held first at " The Lawn," and afterwards 

 alternately at the homes of some of the other members, 

 until, owing to their increased numbers, rooms and a 

 small laboratory were taken for the Society in Surrey 

 Street, Strand. The list of chemical apparatus lent by 

 its president for the use of the members was very com- 

 prehensive, comprising a small French furnace, blow- 

 pipe, retorts, &c., and all sorts of chemical appliances 

 in short it was a complete laboratory equipment. It 

 included a good microscope and a cabinet of minerals. 

 On looking over the list sent to him by the hon. secre- 

 tary, of some seventy items, one cannot forget the 

 effort, the self-denial, and the care that had brought 

 each piece of that laboratory equipment together. 



The Zetetical Society flourished for only a few years. 

 Joseph Prestwich soon found that his position in the 



1 The term " Zetetical " implies the direct search after knowledge. 



