SOCIOLOGY. 



13 



SOCIOLOGY. * 



A few remarks seem called for by me 

 on this the interesting occasion of the first 

 mcetinj^ of " The Sociolof^ical Section," for 

 the study of Mr. Herbert Spencer's system 

 of philosophy. My difficulty is absence of 

 ability and presence of responsibility in 

 introducin<5 so large a subject, and especi- 

 ally tlie want of necessary time for con- 

 densation and co-ordination. In enthusiasm 

 I am second to few. 



The raisoii iVrtre of the Section may bo 

 best gathered from the following letter that 

 was addressed unofficially to Mr. Herbert 

 Sp'.'ncer. 



Wood House, Haiidsworth Wood, 



near Birmiugham, 



19th March, 1883. 

 Sir, — I hope that you will pardon this intrusion 

 at a time when all your energies are devoted to 

 your oinis magnum. Any interruption, however 

 trivial, must iu many cases be simply an annoyance. 

 But I trust that the exceptional circumstances 

 under which I write may not be uninteresting to 

 you, and my letter shall be as brief as I can make it. 

 A few gentlemen, several of whom are members of The Birmingham Natural 

 History and Microscopical Society — among the Honorary Vice-Presidents of 

 which we have already the advantage of including your name — have resolved, 

 with the approval of the Society, to form a section to be called " The Sociological 

 Section, for the study of Mr. Herbert Spencer's system." 



The proposed Section will consist chiefly of Naturalists and professional 

 men, all of whom ai'o interested in the Synthetic Philosophy, and siucei'e 

 admirers of its author. 



We feel that as the Natural History Society has a very good Biological Library, 

 iucluding your works, together with Blicroscopes, Specimens, etc., and as its 

 objects are cognate it is the most fitting home for us. 



We believe that new members will be drawn to the parent Society on the 

 formation of the new Section, out of which our ranks will bo recruited, and that 

 altogether the arrangement is a satisfactory one on both sides. 



We hope to make our Section attractive to thinkers who recognise the 

 doctrine of Evolution, and we want to make it successful. If, however, the 

 meetings only give us " a wave of pleasure," that will be something. 



Our proposed plan is to meet monthly for eight or nine months in the 3'ear, 

 to go through iu turn all your writings— reading up, of course, privately in the 

 'iitcrim— holding discussions, and having pai>ers thereon. 



Not to begin with too abstruse a subject, wc think that the consideration of 

 the "Education" may profitably occupy us for May and June, and in the early 

 autumn we hope to commence with "First Principles." 



* Abstract of an Address delivered to the Sociological Section of The 

 Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society by W. R. Hughes, 

 F.L.S., President of the Section, at its first meeting at the Mason College, 

 Birmingham.— Thursday, 3rd May, 1683. 



