PREFACE. 
4 
Scientific Societies aim at. As this Society will deal with 
General Philosophy and Science, and watch their bearing upon 
Religion, its objects have a general interest that societies for 
the study of specific branches of science cannot possibly have. 
Hence it is anticipated that it will become a large society, 
with Members and Associates all over the kingdom; and it 
was, therefore, deemed advisable that its head- quarters in the 
metropolis ought to offer the advantages slightly indicated 
under Object 7. To realize fully, however, what is therein 
alluded to, depends upon circumstances. It could only be 
hoped for after many years, unless more speedily accomplished 
by individual munificence and liberality. 
In the mean time, the Society has work to do which it will 
have to set about at once. After what I. have said on p. 9 
(note), on pp. 10 and 26, and in the Postscript to this edition, 
I trust I need add no more, in order to let it be clearly under- 
stood that the Yictoria Institute is not intended to discuss 
purely religious subjects. It is founded in the interest of 
religion , as against atheism and infidelity, but solely for the 
discussion of science and philosophy upon inductive and 
philosophical principles. What the Book of Nature teaches, 
as written in the visible heavens above, the earth beneath, and 
in the history and heart of man,— such will form our proper 
subjects of inquiry. Believing also that there is another 
Book, in which things are revealed which human philosophy 
alone could never have discovered, but which throw light upon 
what else were only dark to us (as to the ancient heathen 
sages) and inexplicable, we do not think it rational to forget 
such revelation ; and we consider we shall not be found less 
scientific, because we believe what our reason approves, what 
throws light upon the mystery of our life, and gives us hope 
and consolation in death. 
February 19th, 1866. 
