MR. MECHl’S LECTURE. 
581 
them what he would himself for the sake of science cheerfully per- 
form. But the life of one man was too short, and his means too 
limited. His knowledge was too confined to allow of his hoping 
to see much progress made by his own hand under his own imme- 
diate direction, or even during his own lifetime. It was something 
better and higher, while they did not cease to labour themselves, 
that they should point out the way to others also, and enlist and 
encourage the ardent spirits who were springing up around them, 
and awaken and stimulate the attention of the experimental philo- 
sophers who were springing up in other countries as well as our 
own. As one who, meditating on the shores of an unknown sea, 
discovered far-off islands lowering largely on the horizon, which 
he could never himself hope to visit or approach, or on some 
brighter day pictured on false clouds, by the wonderful mirage, 
fleets, contending armies, or beautiful cities, appearing to his ad- 
miring eye, which in bodily presence he could scarcely hope to 
look upon : so in his glimpses of scientific fields, inviting but un- 
approached, with kindred feelings must the votary of knowledge 
remain content to point out to others what he himself has but faintly 
described, or even more brightly pictured in his own eye, leaving 
to them the task of fully unfolding what he himself had been unable 
to overtake. Professor Johnston, in conclusion, thanked the audi- 
ence for the courteous attention which he always received from the 
body of men to which they belonged. 
On the motion of the Earl of Yarborough, a vote of thanks to 
Professor Johnston was voted by acclamation for his able and ta- 
lented lecture. 
York Herald. 
York Farmers’ Club. 
Extracts from Mr. Mechis Lecture, on Breeding , Feeding, and 
Rearing, delivered at the York Agricultural Meeting. 
Mr. Mechi was favourable to farmers breeding their own stock, 
which he found to be far more gainful than that of purchasing it. 
It was supposed that grass land and space were required for breed- 
ing. From this supposition he differed. Food could be taken to 
the cattle. An animal fed in a box on the best food, he was satis- 
fied would grow better than one in the fields. He knew this by 
practical proof, having made the experiment, and thought that the 
old opinion on the subject was destined to be soon discarded by 
every farmer. While he sold his barley-meal at sixpence, to the 
