350 Literary and Philosophical Society. 



the memory of all who are in Manchester, and to which 

 many have looked with wonder and awe from childhood. 

 This would not be strange in those who had seen the old 

 philosopher moving to and from his lodgings with his 

 lantern in hand in the early winter mornings or the dark 

 evenings, but it is pleasant to find it true of those whose 

 age prevents all such memories ; to them the old reasons 

 for attachment remain by inheritance, whilst new ones 

 have arisen with every year of their visits, and around 

 many or all of its active members or its frequent attendants : 

 this must be allowed to speak well for the later as well as 

 earlier condition of the Society. For these reasons many 

 consider that it would be well if we could remain, enlarging 

 our premises and building as the early fathers of the 

 Society built, or at any rate that if we move we ought to 

 have an establishment to ourselves. We have the land 

 bought for us : they had theirs to buy. As to the means, 

 it is not for the writer to say more than this : that Manchester 

 is rich, and without science it will not remain so. 



It has, however, been said that the Society has done 

 nothing to teach Manchester. It has given no lectures, no 

 soirees, no displays ; it has not in any way, except by its 

 publications, shown itself; its members are scarcely seen, 

 and it is looked on as stagnant. We certainly are not 

 wanting in members who speak well and appear pro- 

 minent as visible agents in the scientific world although 

 not as representing our Society ; but it has been the habit 

 of the Society to make no display. It has even given up 

 the few lectures which at one time were allowed in its 

 rooms. This subject has been frequently discussed at the 

 council, and it has been decided that the Society shall 



