LITERATURE AND SCIENCE OF ENGLAND. 25 



once were familiar the native beauties of the scene 

 around us ; and one benefit most certainly redounds 

 to our whole city from the efforts of those who have 

 devoted themselves to the estabUshment of this Insti- 

 tution, that Bath is thus redeemed from the imputa- 

 tion of being only a place of pleasure for the gay, or 

 a cradle in which life may sink gently to its last 

 repose. The beautiful edifice in which we are now 

 assembled; the copies of the choice works of ancient 

 art with w^hich it is adorned ; the assemblage within 

 its walls of many rare productions of nature and of 

 art; and the library, rich in the choicest works of 

 the noblest minds, are a proof that there is another 

 class, that a better spirit lingers about these ancient 

 walls, and that there are those who forget not the 

 former honours of the city to which they belong. 

 But we may now go farther. It was first said that 

 such an edifice could not be raised ; next, that it 

 could not endure. The first was manifestly a mis- 

 take : to all human appearance, the second is equally 

 so. The crisis is past. The great utility of this 

 Institution is felt within its walls, and acknowledged 

 without. The facilities which are here afforded for 

 the mutual communication of persons engaged in 

 similar pursuits are now understood and valued. 

 Its library, its lectures, its museum, have already 

 stimulated to inquiry, and assisted the inquirer. The 



