PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE, 
41 
the lowness of the subscriptions, it is extremely desirable 
that the membership should be largely increased, to enable 
us to utilise our new building in a thorough manner, and 
fo keep the museum open without charge. And I take 
this opportunity of again appealing to the community on 
our behalf, We would fain enroll as members every 
student of natural science in our neighbourhood,—every 
one who desires either to study or to help on others in 
their studies. Some of our most esteemed members make 
no pretensions to scientific knowledge, but they evince 
their interest in our work by attending our meetings and 
lectures, and by accompanying us in our summer and 
autumn excursions. Their presence is a great encourage¬ 
ment to us; and from the interest they take in our proceed¬ 
ings, we might infer, even if they had not assured us, that 
our friendly communion is mutually advantageous. I hope 
that the number of such friends will continue to increase, 
which in so large a community as this cannot surely 
be too much to expect. Need I remind you also 
that ours is a gallant Society, Some years ago we resolved 
to admit lady-members, and the result surpassed our ex¬ 
pectations. Our lady friends now constitute a fair pro¬ 
portion of our number, and they have not been content to 
be only ornamental members. Among them are some 
most assiduous workers ; and of those who braved the 
discomforts of our former room in St Anne’s Lane with 
most persistent courage, a good many were ladies. 
I make my appeal again to the many young people 
of the rising generation, to whom a working know¬ 
ledge of natural science would be of inestimable value. 
Those who have never turned their attention to such 
studies do not know the pleasure, I would even say the de¬ 
light, which they engender. To acquire an intelligent 
knowledge of the fair world in which we live, and of the 
great operations of nature which, under the guidance of 
infinite wisdom, are continually modifying not only the 
solid crust of our globe, but every living thins that sur¬ 
rounds us, is surely a worthy object of ambition, and 
one which must of necessity have an ennobling influ¬ 
ence upon our life. To inquirers after such knowledge 
we offer the heartiest welcome. They will find in the 
association of fellow-workers which our Society offers 
the best incentive and encouragement to study. I 
need not, however, dwell at present upon these, and 
other matters connected with the Society. Another 
opportunity will doubtless offer itself ere long. There 
is just one subject upon, which I wish to say a word 
or two. You are aware that we purpose to have a bazaar 
by-and-by, to aid us in starting free of debt, and, if 
possible, to provide us with a small endowment to meet 
the cost of maintaining our new building. And, in 
passing, I may mention that our bazaar will have special 
scenic effects, not hitherto seen at any bazaar in Scotland. 
Our friends will not confound our bazaar with that which 
our neighbours of the Literary and Antiquarian Society 
intend to open next week,—and which, I hope, will be 
successful, for in a city like Perth there ought certainly to 
be ample room and plenty of work for a Literary and 
Antiquarian Society. It is to be regretted, however, 
that the two bazaars should fall in one and the same 
year; and we could have wished that the Literary 
and Antiquarian Society, who have delayed moving in the 
matter of additional museum accommodation for so long a 
period, should have postponed theirs for another twelve- 
months; more especially as our intention to open one in 
the course of the present year had been duly made public 
for some time before any intimation of then's appeared. 
We are so circumstanced that we cannot postpone ours 
indefinitely;—it is essential, now that our building is 
completed, that our long-advertised bazaar should be 
opened this year, upon as early a date as possible. 
But to obviate as far as possible the inconven¬ 
ience likely to arise from having the two within 
a few weeks or days of each other, we resolved to 
change the date of ours from September to December—a 
piece of considerate good feeling on our part which was no 
doubt grateful to our Literary and Antiquarian neighbours, 
who have now a fair field in which to reap. In doing as 
we did, however, we made a considerable sacrifice, but we 
feel confident that the public will appreciate our action in 
this matter, and will not be the less ready to patronise 
our fancy - fair at Christmas time. At all events they 
are not likely to be • influenced by the misrepresenta¬ 
tions of which we have been the uncomplaining victims for 
some time past. It is perfectly well known that the 
scheme which we have so far successfully carried out— 
thanks to the efforts of our many friends—has all along 
had the emphatic approval of the public. Knowing and 
thankfully acknowledging that fact, we can afford to treat 
with perfect equanimity and indifference any degree and 
amount of misrepresentation which it may please unwise 
people to indulge in. 
No one regrets more than I do that any unpleasant feeling 
should have arisen between the two local Societies. There 
is no reason in the world why they should not work in har¬ 
mony; and, notwithstanding what has passed, I feel con¬ 
vinced that good sense will by and by prevail, and a cordial 
co-operation be established. That this would tend to the 
best interests of both no one can doubt. And as an 
earnest that such co - operation may come about at 
