9& [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



haps not the most accounted of, are still the more easily accessible 

 and rich in really valuable results. The great feature of our Club, 

 for instance, viewed in its proper light is, that it includes in its 

 ranks and invites to its fellowship persons of all classes (and, I may 

 add, of both sexes too), who are statedly engaged in other pursuits 

 — in professional or business occupations — in the walks of trade, 

 commerce, or manufacture. Now, apart from the fact, referred to 

 in a previous portion of this address, that there is here a platform 

 erected, or rather indeed a wholesome field opened, where persons 

 of all varieties of view on abstract subjects — holding, it maybe, 

 different religious creeds, and adherents of various schools of 

 political principles — may meet, and without any compromise of 

 principles whatever, partake of the fellowship and enjoyment which 

 science, in its finest sense, offers. There is another consideration 

 which strongly commends such institutions as our Club to some at 

 least. Man, according to his physical organisation, is an omni- 

 vorous animal. In the matter of diet Nature herself dictates that 

 he need not, nor ought he, to make choice between being a 

 vegetarian and a purely carnivorous animal, but, in due moderation, 

 partake of all the varieties of food which the Bountiful Creator has 

 so freely provided for his sustenance. As I have just said, this 

 truth is forced on us, as well by our instincts — for man is certainly 

 a cooking animal, and loves to partake of food well and suitably 

 prepared— as also by our very dental apparatus, not to refer to 

 more latent portions of our organisation. We are furnished with 

 a set of teeth which are neither all incisors, nor canine, nor yet 

 molars, but a combination of all three. We are thus plainly 

 omnivorous, and Nature says so. I have sometimes thought that 

 this circumstance might be turned to a moral account. In point 

 of fact, the mind requires variety of pabalum just as much as the 

 body. It is an utter mistake for any of us to addict ourselves to 

 any one kind of mental operation to the exclusion of others. 

 This would be like living on flesh meat and eschewing vegetables, 

 or vice versa. If carried to an excess, it would be worse. It 



