360 



The discourse commenced with remarks upon the importance of 

 association in promoting the progress of literary and scientific know- 

 ledge. In monarchical countries, the spirit of scientific association 

 is sustained by the patronage of government, and frequently by pe- 

 cuniary aid. In our country this spirit is left to its own resources, 

 generally without any extrinsic support. This condition of things, 

 and the comparative youth of our country, may be assigned as reasons 

 why we have not rivalled European States in the higher and more 

 abstruse branches of science; but have given to our labours rather a 

 practical and useful tendency, as shown by our progress in agricul- 

 ture and the mechanic arts. 



The President then proceeded to show that scientific associations, 

 especially in free States, should be organized on liberal principles, 

 and that the requiring of too high a grade of attainment in candi- 

 dates for membership, and rules or usages too exclusive, tend to de- 

 feat the main objects of association, the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge. He alluded to the early condition of this Society, and to 

 the advantages which might result from an increased number of 

 members, diffused more generally throughout the various States of the 

 Union. 



The proceedings of the Society, and the operations of its laws, for 

 the last half century, were next reviewed, and some suggestions made 

 in reference to the mode of electing members. This was followed 

 by a recapitulation of the obituary notices of deceased members, 

 directed to be prepared, and of those actually prepared and read to 

 the Society, — with suggestions concerning the printing of the latter. 



He recommended the adoption of measures for securing increased 

 space and belter arrangement of the library and cabinet of the So- 

 ciety, and suggested an alteration of the Hall for that purpose. 



The Magellanic premium, which the Society has the power of 

 awarding for useful discoveries and inventions, was next adverted to, 

 and a wish expressed that an additional publicity should be given to 

 the conditions of these premiums. 



The continuation of the binding in volumes of the records and 

 documents belonging to the Society, was urged by the President, who 

 closed his discourse by dwelling at some length on its financial affairs. 



END OF VOL. V. 



