8 Anniversary Address. 



press the deep regret (in which I am sure the Club will fully 

 join with me) we must all feel for the lamentable and fatal acci- 

 dent by which, since our last anniversary, one of our members 

 (George Darling, Esq., of Fowberry) has passed from amongst us; 

 one, whose pen has added to the instructive pages of our Annals, 

 and whose kind and energetic disposition will not soon pass from 

 the remembrance of those acquainted with him. 



In conclusion, I may perhaps be allowed to express a hope, 

 that, while we are endeavouring to spread far and wide a taste 

 for the pleasure we ourselves feel in investigating Nature's 

 handy work, we may not at the same time be assisting to narrow 

 the field of enjoyment for our successors. Many tribes both 

 of birds and beasts, as well as plants, have already almost dis- 

 appeared from the scene, and are become more the objects of 

 curiosity than of observation. This has been effected, as far as 

 the animals are concerned, not by naturalists, so much as by 

 the general license granted to gamekeepers to destroy everything 

 considered injurious to game. Here many of us might have 

 much influence in checking the fatal persecution ; and then, 

 those amongst us who think this world wide enough for all, and 

 delight in -seeing the Creator's work (even though its pursuits be 

 carnivorous) enjoying its brief existence, might more frequently 

 be gratified by the sight of the hawk's aerial path, the wild cry 

 of the raven, or the noiseless wing of the owl. With the loss 

 of plants probably the improvement in agriculture has much to 

 do ; and were this the only cause of their disappearance, no 

 room would be left for regret. In some cases however, where 

 the discovery of an object of rarity conveys so much pleasure to 

 the finder, the recollection that many an eye besides our own 

 might, through our consideration, be equally gratified, would 

 often stay the hand and spare the prize when not absolutely re- 

 quired. 



With many apologies for the deficiencies of this Address, it 

 only remains for me to thank you for the honour you have done 

 me in placing me in the position to offer it. 



