20 MEETINGS. 



way-marks in the path of civilization and of local progress, 

 the memory of them is well worth preserving, and ought by 

 no means to be neglected. 



I cannot help referring with real pleasure and satisfaction 

 to the many interesting papers on different departments of 

 natural science which have been read before this Society by 

 several of its members, as well as to the lectures recently 

 given in the Hall of this Institution by Messrs. Collenette 

 and Marquand in connection with our winter lecture course. 

 And referring, for a moment, more especially to this general 

 work of the Guille-Alles Library and its popular lectures, 

 may I not solicit your assistance in diffusing the interesting 

 revelation of natural science which formed the topic of these 

 papers and lectures, in a still more popular form, and in a 

 direction where I conceive much good will be accomplished ? 

 Mr. Alles and myself, in rearing this Institution, designed to 

 open its doors to all classes or sections of our community ; 

 but if there was one class more than another that we 

 intended to benefit through its means, it was that which up 

 to the present time has kept aloof from its advantages — I 

 mean the working class. Why have they not come? Are 

 they under the impression that they would not be welcome ; 

 or are not the terms of admission — as reasonable as they are 

 — adapted to their means ? Surely anyone who can afford to 

 spend as much as most of our working-men do in perfectly 

 useless if not unhealthy luxuries, ought to be able to devote 

 the ten farthings weekly, which would furnish them with a 

 bountiful supply of solid mental food. I am very anxious 

 that an earnest effort should be made to bring this useful 

 class within our fold. As an experiment, could not 'penny 

 lectures — not mere amusing penny readings — but lectures 

 conveying solid information, not only in natural history and 

 physical science generally, but on those arts and sciences 

 which bear directly on their respective trades, be given with 

 advantage and profit ? Aided by the illustrations which 

 the powerful lantern we possess places at our command, I 

 believe these entertainments would prove powerful counter- 

 attractions to the demoralizing influences which are sapping 

 the foundations of our moral and intellectual life. 



It is sometimes brought forth as an excuse for the 

 working-class that they have no time for reading or study, or 

 for attendance at such entertainments as I propose. But 

 this is a groundless assertion. I challenge anyone to prove 

 that he has led a busier life than I myself have from my youth 

 up. Yet during my busiest days, when not ten but twelve 



