SOCIOLOGY. 
121 
SOCIOLOGY.* 
A few remarks seem called for by me 
on this the interesting occasion of the first 
meeting of “ The Sociological Section,” for 
the study of Mr. Herbert ■ Spencer’s system 
of philosophy. My difficulty is absence of 
ability and presence of responsibility in 
introducing so large a subject, and especi¬ 
ally the want of necessary' time for con¬ 
densation and co-ordination. In enthusiasm 
I am second to few. 
The raison d'etre of the Section may be 
best gathered from the following letter that 
was addressed unofficially to Mr. Herbert 
Spencer, 
Wood House, Handsworth Wood, 
near Birmingham, 
19th March, 1883. 
Sir,—I hope that you will pardon this intrusion 
at a time when all your energies are devoted to 
your opus magnum. Any interruption, however 
trivial, must in many cases be simply an annoyance. 
But I trust that the exceptional circumstances 
under which I write may not be uninteresting to 
you, and my letter shall be as brief as I can make it. 
A few gentlemen, several of whom are members of The Birmingham Natural 
History and Microscopical Society—among the Honorary Vice-Presidents of 
which we have already the advantage of including your name—have resolved, 
with the approval of the Society, to form a section to be called “ The Sociological 
Section, for the study of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s system.” 
The proposed Section will consist chiefly of Naturalists and professional 
men, all of whom are interested in the Synthetic Philosophy, and sincere 
admirers of its author. 
We feel that as the Natural History Society has a very good Biological Library, 
including your works, together with Microscopes, Specimens, etc., and as its 
objects are cognate it is the most fitting home lor us. 
We believe that new members will be drawn to the parent Society on the 
formation of the new Section, out of which our ranks will be recruited, and that 
altogether the arrangement is a satisfactory one on both sides. 
We hope to make our Section attractive to thinkers who recognise the 
doctrine of Evolution, and we want to make it successful. If, however, the 
meetings only give us “a wave of pleasure,” that will be something. 
Our proposed plan is to meet monthly for eight or nine months in the year, 
to go through in turn all your writings—reading up, of course, privately in the 
interim—holding discussions, and having papers thereon. 
Not to begin with too abstruse a subject, we think that the consideration of 
the “Education” may profitably occupy us for May and June, and in the early 
autumn we hope to commence with “ First Principles.” 
* Abstract of an Address delivered to the Sociological Section of The 
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society by W. R. Huohes, 
P.L.S., President of the Section, at its first meeting at the Mason College, 
Birmingham.—Thursday, 3rd May, 1883. 
