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Art. XI. Annual Address, delivered before the Institute, 

 April 27, 1837, by Matthew Henry Webster, A.M. 



Gentlemen: 



There is a peculiarity in the formation and constitution of 

 the Institute, which while it presents, in my opinion, great and 

 prominent advantages, at the same time occasions some em- 

 barrassment in the selection of a suitable topic for the present 

 occasion. Our roll of members exhibits the names of indivi- 

 duals drawn from almost every class of society, occupied in all 

 the diversified pursuits that hold out the prospect of wealth and 

 reputation to their followers, and that reflect back upon the 

 community at large the benefits arising from well directed la- 

 bor. We find no exclusive cultivators of any particular branch 

 of science, and hardly one whose whole attention is devoted 

 to its study. It is made up in fact of a few who, though deep- 

 ly convinced that much good might result from an association 

 of themselves for scientific and literary purposes, have yet so 

 many other and higher claims upon their time and attention, 

 as to be compelled to make these subjects the amusement of 

 their leisure, instead of the serious occupation of their lives. 

 All of us possess a greater or less acquaintance with the grand 

 outUnes of the sciences ; few, if any, can boast a profound 

 knowledge of any of its departments. 



The same peculiarity is observable in our constitution, the 

 cultivation of science and literature generally, is its avowed 

 object. Not any particular class of the sciences, in exclusion 

 of the rest, nor yet any individual of a class, but the whole in 

 their widest range. Our plan of operations does not restrict 

 us to a narrow strip or portion of the domain of intellect, but 

 embraces its whole extent. It is this magnitude of plan which 

 gives to the Institute its distinctive character, and which has 

 necessarily resulted firom our social position. That minute di- 

 vision of labor both in science and art which is every where 

 seen in thickly peopled communities, is hardly known among 



