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PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 
counties were scattered about in all directions; often the 
solitary Natural History object possessed by the owner, which 
in its isolation was nearly valueless, but if forming part of a 
collection would be of some practical use and its individual 
worth greatly enhanced. 
Need of a Local Natural History Museum. 
From the foregoing observations I could not help lament¬ 
ing that our town does not possess a Natural History Museum. 
In all other branches of education and improvement our town 
well acts up to its motto “ Forwardbut as regards Natural 
History, I do not hesitate in saying, it neglects an important 
duty' in not affording Nature a place wherein might be 
displayed and explained her wonders and beauty to the 
edification of the many. 
It is greatly to be regretted that Natural History is not more 
recognised by teachers as a means of education, producing 
logical thought, training the mind to detect salient points, 
working out cause and effect, thereby showing an indisputable 
continuity of action connecting both. Such study cannot but 
be beneficial to the pupil, and in the Board Schools what an 
inestimable boon such lessons might become to a working 
man in after years, providing him with a healthy and elevat¬ 
ing recreation. I consider myself fortunate in knowing many 
such instances, and could mention several in this town, who 
after a hard day’s work devote their leisure to the pursuit 
of some branch of Natural History, Entomology or Geology 
being the favourite studies, and it is surprising what splendid 
results, what intimate and accurate knowledge, such men 
obtain, entirely by their own individual industry and perse¬ 
verance, and often with little help from books. I wish such 
cases could be multiplied, which probably would be done if we 
possessed a good museum. For some time past a controversy 
has been going on as to the advisability of opening museums 
and similar institutions upon the Sunday. If I possessed 
the power as I have the will they should be thrown open at 
once, but at the same time, I advocate educating the masses 
so that they may intellectually enjoy, and understand a little 
of what they see and admire, so that all moths and butterflies 
should not be “ Bob Howlers,” and other sections of the 
animal kingdom be honoured with similar appellations. 
The reason Birmingham is so behindhand with respect 
to the foundation of a Natural History Museum is rather 
incomprehensible. I am afraid that those who are in a 
position to assist in bringing about this desirable acquisition 
to our town associate such an institution with a collection of 
