NATURAL HISTORY. 
131 
much upon your patience and valuable time ; but 
I should be unwilling to part without leaving you 
duly impressed with the feelings under which we 
should all aim to study the lessons which it is the 
object of our Society to convey, and I cannot, it 
appears to me, better effect this desirable purpose 
than by taking leave of you in the words of the 
learned and eloquent author of the Discourse upon 
the Objects, Advantages, and Pleasures of Science. 
" The highest" says this distinguished statesman, 
" of all our gratifications in the contemplation of 
science, remains : we are raised by them to an 
understanding of the infinite wisdom and goodness 
which the Creator has displayed in all his works. 
Not a step can we take in any direction without 
observing the most extraordinary traces of design ; 
and the skill everywhere conspicuous is calculated in 
so vast a proportion of instances to promote the 
happiness of living creatures, and especially of our- 
selves, that we can feel no hesitation in concluding, 
that if we knew the whole scheme of Providence, 
every part would be in harmony with a plan of 
absolute benevolence. Independently, however, of 
this most consoling inference, the delight is inex- 
pressible of being able to follow, as it were, with our 
eyes, the marvellous works of the great Architect 
of Nature, to trace the unbounded power, and exqui- 
site skill which are exhibited in the most minute, 
as well as the mightiest parts of his system. The 
pleasure derived from this study is unceasing, and so 
various that it never tires the appetite. But it is 
