SCIENCE IN THE PROVINCES. 
367 
and concluded his address with a brief summary, reviewing this gradual 
development of life as indicative of a definite creative plan which binds the 
whole into one harmonious system. 
Complimentary votes of thanks were then passed to the various lecturers 
by the audience, which consisted of the members of many neighbouring 
clubs, and included, we need hardly add, a great many of the fair sex. 
The remainder of the day was spent in social intercourse between the 
members. 
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIVERPOOL LITERARY 
AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
Liverpool possessed a Literary and Philosophical Society in 1790 ; not 
the one which has just celebrated its fiftieth natal day, but another, with which 
was connected the name of Edward Rushton, the founder of the “ School for 
the Blind,” an institution which still calls forth the admiration of all strangers 
who visit Liverpool. 
The present Literary and Philosophical Society was founded on the 13th 
March, 1812, when fifty-six gentlemen enrolled themselves as members ; but 
it was not until December, 1817, that the Society rendered its name perma- 
nent by the election as member, and on the same evening as its president, of 
William Roscoe. 
Here is Mr. Roscoe’s letter to the secretary, accepting office : — 
“ My Dear Sir,— May I beg that you will take an early opportunity this 
evening to express my respectful thanks to the Literary and Philosophical 
Society for the honour they have done me, and which you so obligingly an- 
nounced to me, in admitting me a member and nominating me to the distin- 
guished situation of their president, a situation the duties of which I shall 
be happy to discharge to the utmost of my power. If it will not be informal 
for me to make my appearance amongst you this evening, I will be in attend- 
ance in the ante-room, and will wait their pleasure. 
“ I am, my dear Sir, most faithfully yours, 
“ W. Roscoe.” 
Mr. Roscoe was introduced at the evening meeting, the members rose to 
receive him, and he signed the laws. 
Amongst the gentlemen known in literary and scientific circles, who have 
inceheld office as presidents, we may mention Dr. Traill, J. B. Yates, F.S.A., 
Dr. Booth, F.R.S., Dr. Dickenson, F.R.S. The present occupier of the presi- 
dential chair, the Rev. H. H. Higgins, is most zealous in his encouragement 
of science, being an acting Vice-president of the Naturalists’ Field Club ; as 
is also Dr. C. Collingwood, the secretary of the Literary Society ; a gentleman 
well known in the scientific world for Iris contributions to natural history. 
It is no wonder that a society which, as our readers will perceive, has 
acquired more than a local reputation in the annals of science and litera- 
ture, should seek to give some eclat to the silver year of its existence ; 
and we find accordingly, that under its auspices the town-hall of Liverpool 
was thronged on the 13th of last month with a concourse of nearly 1,500 
ladies and gentlemen. 
The “ west drawing-room ” was devoted to the exhibition of philosophical 
