100 THE president's ADDRESS. 



valuable pursuits, which would call them for a few hours from home. 

 But do they sufiGciently consider that if they have enjoyed the privilege 

 of a liberal education, the keeping up and extending their knowledge 

 is really necessary to make all they have already done available for their 

 advantage in life, and that the pleasures derivable from the pursuit of 

 knowledge and the cultivation of the mental powers, are incomparably 

 higher and more durable than those afforded by the ordinary amuse- 

 ments of the world ? If on the other hand they are engaging in the 

 various pursuits of life requiring active intelligence, without having 

 been able to secure the advantage of the higher education, I would ask 

 them how they could dispose of the same amount of time more profita- 

 bly than in connection with this Society ? It is when our youth are 

 lovers and seekers of knowledge that our country is sure to flourish, 

 whilst to the individual the pursuit is rewarded by the constant and 

 varied gratifications it affords — gratifications which are inexhaustible, 

 and independent of the changes of life, consequently above all price in 

 the world which for a short time we occupy. 



It is especially to be desired for a Society of lovers and promoters of 

 knowledge, that it should interest, attach and encourage those who are 

 coming forward in life, to whom we look to fill the places of those who 

 must soon withdraw from the scene; and in seeking means of extended 

 infiuence, nothing deserves more consideration than what will be bene- 

 ficial to them both by enriching their minds and calling forth their 

 ■talents. 



I now proceed to a few words respecting the extent of subjects which 

 various Societies, having in view the same general purpose as ours, 

 include in their plans. Our Society has chosen its name in reference 

 to the French National Institute, which it is well known has a remark- 

 ably wide range of subjects, including nearly all the departments of 

 knowledge, but yet, being divided into classes and sections, is really in 

 its working a collection of separate societies for all the different branches. 

 We have placed no limits to our subjects, and have assumed the expe- 

 diency of the cultivators of all the different branches of knowledge, 

 uniting their efforts in one body. If we are right in this, as we think 

 it will appear that we are, it must be from circumstances in the condi- 

 tion of the country, which give such a plan the advantage on the whole, 

 though many would prefer narrower associations, which undoubtedly 

 have their own recommendations. The Royal Society, in its earlier 

 stages, had no well-defined limits to its subjects, often intruding on what 



