96 THE PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



I think, then, it will be readily conceded, that to maintain and 

 advance the interests of associations formed for the promotion and 

 encouragement of scientific pursuits, and the spread of general 

 knowledge, is clearly an act of enlightened patriotism on the part 

 both of the government and the people. It behooves us, therefore, 

 while looking for a continuance of that fostering aid which has 

 hitherto been liberally accorded to us by the government of the 

 country, to take good heed that we are faithful to the trust com- 

 mitted to us, and labor, each of us according to our ability and 

 opportunity, to promote the ends for which this Institute was estab- 

 lished. 



In every association of this kind there must always be a large class 

 of members who have neither time nor opportunity for contributing 

 much information on scientific or literary subjects, and who have 

 joined the society more, perhaps, for the sake of aiding and encour- 

 aging an institution which they believe to be both a desirable and 

 useful one for the country, than with any idea of ever taking an 

 active part in its proceedings. But even these persons, at the cost 

 of but little personal exertion, can render many important services. 

 Every one has it in his power to observe ; and would we but make 

 good use of the faculties with which God has blessed us, we should 

 find that each could contribute something to the general stock of 

 knowledge. 



And, lastly, the objects of our weekly meetings, be it remembered, 

 will be very inadequately fulfilled, if they simply afibrd to our mem- 

 bers an agreeable and intellectual mode of passing an evening. We 

 seek, by the papers which are there read, and by the discussions which 

 are invited, to awaken a spirit of enquiry, to excite and encourage 

 the desire for the acquisition of knowledge ; and, by the influence of 

 mind upon mind, to awaken those tastes and aspirations which may 

 lead us in some degree to aim at being fellow laborers with those great 

 men who, while they are advancing the triumphs of scientific discov- 

 ery, and enlarging the boundaries of knowledge, are conducing at 

 the same time to the progress and the happiness of mankind. 



