Meetings, iS&}. 



the large hall, recently finished on these premises, and which is 

 to be devoted to popular and well-illustrated lectures on scien- 

 tific and literary subjects, history, &c. As the principal stair- 

 case which is to lead to this hall is not yet opened, it cannot be 

 used for its intended purpose during the present season ; but 

 when another winter conies round, these courses of lectures 

 will be fully organised, and it is hoper] that circumstances will 

 warrant their being given twice a week. 



May we not hope that all these efforts to substitute a 

 constant supply of really useful information and rational 

 recreation, for the profitless and often debasing amusements 

 and pursuits to which the demoralization and ruin of so large 

 a proportion of our youth can be traced, may be productive of 

 much good to the community at large ; and that one of the 

 first evidences of such a desirable improvement may be a large 

 accession of young members to our ranks ? Would that a 

 greater number of them understood that in such studies as 

 bring us together here, the mind is trained for a closer and 

 sweeter communion with Nature, and through Nature, with 

 Nature's God ; that it is through such studies alone that we 

 are enabled to read the wonderful volume of Creation ; to find 

 " tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in 

 stones and good in every thing,' , and to gather a pure and 

 lasting enjoyment from its pages, of which those who seek for 

 happiness in the mere gratification of the senses can form no 

 conception. 



A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the President for 

 his address, which the Bailiff said he hoped Mr. Guille would 

 allow to be printed for permanent reference, as it so exactly 

 seized the points which it was necessary the society should 

 keep in mind. 



Mr. Guille was re-elected president by acclamation ; Mr. 

 De La Mare remains vice-president, and the following 

 gentlemen were unanimously re-elected, and were cordially 



