132 ILLUSTRATIONS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
unlike the low gratifications of sense in another 
respect : it elevates and refines our nature, while 
those hurt the health, debase the understanding, and 
corrupt the feelings ; it teaches us to look upon all 
earthly objects as insignificant, and below our notice, 
except the pursuit of knowledge and virtue." 
I will now only express my anxious hope, that 
every returning year may find the members of this 
Society steadily pursuing its objects ; for then this 
Institution must inevitably flourish — must be influen- 
tial in extending the empire of knowledge, and in 
directing the application of this valuable possession 
to its right use, by leading us to an humble reliance 
upon the wisdom of the Supreme Being, and a modest 
bearing towards our fellow men. 
THE END. 
