AN HISTORICAL SKETCH. 145 



history would be deemed of minor importance, and that 

 many of the members absorbed in the subject of genealogy 

 would devote more time to find out who their great-great- 

 grandmothers were than they would to the study of natural 

 history. 



I saidl thought the subjects of civil and natural history 

 could be studied together to the mutual benefit of the 

 members of the Institute. The fears of Mr. Eussell have 

 never been realized as time has proved. The records of 

 our proceedings will show that the study of civil and 

 natural history has continued side by side, to the neglect 

 of neither, but to the advantage of both ; and an interest 

 in these subjects has been developed in the county, which 

 I trust will continue and increase. I cannot close without 

 a tribute of respect to those departed friends who were 

 associated with me in the formation of this society, and 

 whose memory I fondly cherish. I well remember their 

 enthusiasm in striving to awaken among the people of 

 Essex County an interest in the study of nature, and I 

 cannot forbear to express my desire and my hope that 

 their laudable examples will be followed by the young men 

 and women of the present day. 



