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library are the donations of various societies and individuals, 

 and were the catalogues of the library printed, it is not at all 

 unlikely that the immediate returns in works which would be 

 observed to be wanting upon our shelves, would more than 

 cover the whole expense of pubhcation. The continuation of 

 our Transactions is almost at a stand, for want of the neces- 

 sary funds ; the number of subscribers is not sufficient to de- 

 fray the whole expense, and it has not been deemed advisable 

 to incur a debt which might hereafter prove a source of un- 

 easiness. It is by this publication, however, only that the In- 

 stitute can become known abroad, or can expect to participate 

 in the benefits of those interchanges which have become es- 

 tablished throughout the hterary and scientific world. 



The privilege of making use of instruments of superior ma- 

 nufacture and higher value than can ordinarily be expected to 

 be owned by individuals, is another advantage held out to its 

 members, by societies like oui-s ; but in our case we possess 

 nothing of the kind. The very instruments which are used 

 in making the quarterly observations recommended by Sir 

 John Herschel, are borrowed for the occasion. It is of the 

 highest importance to the interests of the Society, that this de- 

 ficiency should be supplied. A barometer and thermometer of 

 the best construction and nicest accuracy, an instrument to as- 

 certain the magnetic dip and variation, and a reflecting gonio- 

 meter, are some of those which, if owned by the Institute, 

 would probably be employed constantly, with the certainty of 

 adding facts of the highest value to the mass wliich every day 

 is accumulating throughout the world. The subjects which I 

 have thus mentioned, are only a few of those which might be 

 pointed out, and are perhaps the most important only in my 

 individual estimation; their suggestion will, however, serve 

 the purpose I have in view, which is simply to shew that there 

 are desiderata which may be supplied with Uttle exertion, if 

 properly directed. 



The only remaining benefit I shall mention as to be ex- 

 pected from an increase in the numbers of our members is, that 

 it would bring within our reach one of the most influential 

 principles of our common nature, sympathy. How much so- 



