HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 253 
agement of Arts, Science, Commerce and Agriculture,’” 
these alterations being in use in the same year. 
In the ‘‘Sydney Morning Herald’’ of Monday, 21st 
January, 1850, there is an announcement of “* Saturday’s. 
Meeting, Dr. Nicholson in the Chair, at the Royal Hotel,”’ 
when it was resolved to form an “‘Australian Philosophical 
Society.” | 
It is added that itis .... “‘ upwards of a quarter of a. 
century since there was a Society of this description in 
Sydney, which assembled under the auspices of Sir Thomas. 
Brisbane’’ etc. (This, of course, refers to the 1821 Society). 
In the “‘ Herald”’ of Thursday, 24th January, 1850, is a. 
leading article headed ‘“‘The Philosophical Society.’’ 
It contains the following passages:—**. . . A number of 
gentlemen, with Dr. Nicholson for their Chairman, met on 
Saturday last at the Royal Hotel, for the purpose of estab- 
lishing a Philosophical Society in this Colony.’’ It was. 
held in the evening. The article warmly supports the idea 
of forming such a Society. 
Its foundation date is therefore the 19th January. 
In the ‘“‘Herald’’ of the 14th February, 1850, it is stated 
that “‘as there were no reporters present, we have no 
report of the proceedings, but at the request of several of 
the members we give the speech made by Mr. (James). 
Norton, explanatory. of the objects of the Society.”’ 
The statement occupies a column. It is partly occupied 
with a gloomy retrospect of the failure of past Govern- 
ments and of individuals. He pleads for encouragement of 
manufactures, woollen, wine, silk, perhaps sugar and cotton,, 
certainly the olive. . ‘‘The resources of the colony are yet 
unknown,”’ and he hopes for a stimulus to knowledge. The 
whole article is in general terms. 
