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BY-LAWS
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•■^i
WESTERN mSTllICT LITERARY
1 PHILOSOPHICAL AND AGRICULTUPv AL ft
ASSOCIATION,
1
AS SANCTIOVED AT A
GENERAL MEETING, HELD AT AttllERSTBURGIl, SEPT. -i^i, 181i^.
togetiieu with
THE DTSCOUKSE DELIVERED BY THE rRESn)ENT Ox\ THE
OCCASION, ELUCIDATIVE OF THE OBJECTS OF THE
ASSOCIATION.
PUBLISHED BY THE UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE MEETING,
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.
SANDWICH:
HENRY C. GRANT, PRINTER.
: T.
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i K
'Si
PI
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I"- ♦
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BY-LAWS
OF rm;
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I
WESTERN DISTRICT LITERARY
PHILOSOPHICAL AND AGRICULTURAL
ASSOCIATION,
AS SANCTIONED AT A
GENERAL MEETING, HELD AT AMIIERSTBURGn, SEPT. U, 181^.
TOOETHER WITH
THE DISCOURSE DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT OiN THE
OCCASION, ELUCIDATIVE OF THE OBJECTS OF THE
ASSOCIATION.
PUBLISHED BY THE UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE MFETING,
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.
SANDWICH:
HENRY C. GRANT, PRINTER.
1842.
m
OFFICE BEARERS
OF THE
Western District Literary, Philosophical, and Agrienltural
Association,
FOR THE YEAR 19 12.
i '
W
V. Presidents.
Major R. LACHLAN. President.
The Rev. T. E. WELBY,
The Hon. J. GORDON.
.TAS. DOUGALL, Esq., rre:asurer.
R. PEDEN, Esq., \ ^^''^^'dins and Corres-
The Rev. G. Cheyxe,
The Rev. F. Mack,
Thomas Paxton, Esq.,
Dr. R. Ironsides,
W. AxDERTON, Esq.,
C. Baby, Esq.,
<sq.
H. C. Grant, E
Dr. G. R. Grasset
sq.
ponding Secrctari/.
Members of Manag-
ing Committee.
■■ t^
urul
CODE OF LAWS,
I'OR tut: OriDANCE OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT LITER ARV
PIIILOSOPIIICAL, AND AORICl LTIRAL Ar-.-rOCIATION.
cnis.
n'cs-
nag-
INTRODUCTION.
ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN AND OBJECT.^.
The original design and objects of the Western Dis-
trict Literary Philosopiiical, and Agricultural Associa-
tion, arc best described in tlic following extracts of the
proceedings at a public meeting, held at Amherstburgh,
on the fifteenth day of July, 1842 :
Resolved, That it appears to this meeting, that while
the head of the Government and the Legislature of tlie
Province are earnestly cooperating in promoting the
more general diffusion of Education, by the foundation
of Universities, and improvements in our common
school system, for the benefit of the rising generation,
some decided movement should be made by the adult,
educated part of the community towards demonstrating
and practically illustrating, the inestimable value of sci-
entific and useful int^ormation, in every station of socie-
ty ; and that it is conceived that nothing can tend
more to the attainment of this great desideratum than
the institution, in the different Districts, of societies
aiming at mutual instruction in the various arts and
sciences, as well as in the ordinary pursuits of life.
Resolved, That it therefore appears particularly de-
sirable to establish in this District, an unpretending
association of the nature alluded to, as likely not only
to extend and draw closer the bonds of social and intel-
lectual fellowship among those who may become mem-
bers, but, from its indubitably beneficial effects, certain
t'
lit
1^
ot inciting and encouraging a greater love of knowledge
among the population in general.
Resolved, That in accordance with these feelings,
the gentlemen now assembled have come to the deter-
mination of forming a local society having these impor-
tant objects in view, which shall meet, at least, (juar-
terly, and shall be denominated " The Wesletm Distinct
Literary, Philosophical, and Jlgricnltural Chth,^^*- and
tiiat the oflice-bearers shall consist of a President, Vice
President, and a Managing Committee of eight mem-
bers, to be ballotted for annually, in the usual manner;
together with a permanent Treasurer, and a Recording
and Corresponding Secretary.
Ilcsolccd, That the diversified range of the said socie-
ty's researches, like the noble scope of the first British
Literary Association established in Asia, shall embrace
at once ^' man and nature," or in other words, "what
over is performed by the one or produced by the oth-
er ;" and that the only qualification reciuired in a can-
didate for adn)ission, shall be a love of knowledge, and
of a patriotic desire to forward the prosperity of the
Province in general, and of the District in particular,
by prom.otingtliG advancement and diffusion of literary,
jiliilosophica! and agricullurcil knowledge.
Resolved, That every member of the club shall be
invited to promote the objects of its establishment, by
sending in papers, or delivering lectures, on any subject
within the w^ide range of its researches, to be read at
every meeting ; and that members of other Literary
and Philosophical Societies in the Province, shall be in-
vited to enrol themselves as honorary associates, and
to contribute towards its literary stock. Add to which
it shall be expected that the President for the time
being shall deliver an annual address, embodying all
such matter as he may think will tend to the well-being
of the club, and the advancement of " useful know-
ledge."
Resolved^ That with a view to the immediate or-
*Thc designation, " Cldb," siiljsequciitly changed to that of "Association" by
•\ rcsoiution of the meeting of the 2d of September.
.'
edge
»gs,
jter-
por-
uar-
trict
and
V^ice
cm-
ner;
ganization of the Society, every gentleman now pre-
sent desirous of joining it, sliall enrol his name as a
member, by subscribing an obligation inserted in a
book prepared for that i)urpose ; that the first regular
general meeting shall lake place at Amhertsburgh, on
the second Tuesday of September next '; and that the
following gentlemen be the oirice-bcarors of the society,*
and a committee to draw up, in the interim, a code of
by-laws, and adopt such otiier measures as may be ne-
cessary for the due regulation of the Society's proceed-
ings, which shall then be submitted "or general appro-
val and confirmation.
Resohedj That o defray the current expenses of
the institution which shall be regulated by a code of
by-laws, each member shall, on admission, contribute
two dollars entrance, besides two dollars annually, to
be invariably paid in advance.
Rcsohied., That a copy of these resolutions shall be
inserted, for general information, in the Sandwich Her-
ald, and Chatham Journal ; and that all gentlemen who
from this time henceforward may wish to become
members of the club, shall be proposed and balloted for
in the manner usual in other similar societies.
In accordance with the foregoing resolutions, the
following were adopted as a code of by-laws for the
regulation of the conduct of the Association, subject to
revisal at any future general meeting, with the concur-
rence of two-thirds of the members.
SECTION I.
OF ITS OBJECTS.
Article 1. The Western District Literary, Philo-
sophical, and Agricultural Association, is instituted with
a view to cooperate with the Government and the Le-
gislature, in the promotion of the more general diffu-
sion of Education, and. as a social mediuin of mutual
instruction among its mambers, demonstraling, and
practically illustrating, the inestimable value of useful
information in every station of society, not only with
*9ee list in page 2.
J*
M
1.
H
r ■
regard to the various arts and sciences, but the ordina-
ary pursuits of life; and the diversified range of its re-
searches, therefore, embrace, at once, *' man and na-
ture," or, in other words, ** whatever is performed by
the one, or produced by the other."
AuTicLi: 2. The number of its members is unhmited;
and the only (luahfication necessary in a candidate is a
love of knowledge, and a patriotic desire to forward
the prosperity of the Province in general, and of the
Western District in particular, by promoting the ad-
vancement of literary, philoso])hical, and agricultural
knowledge.
SECTION II.
rrs toArtTrruTioN.
Article 3. The Western District Literary, Philo-
sophical, and Agricultural Association shall consist of
ordinary and honorary members.
Artici.k 4. Its ollicers shall be chosen from among
the ordinary members, and shall consist of a President,
two Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and a Recording
and Corresponding Secretary, who, with eight other
members, shall constitute a Committee for managing
the aflairs of the Association, with power to appoint a
sub-committee of papers, from among themselves, and
to make such regulations, consistent with the funda-
mental laws, as they may, from time to time, deem
necessary.
Article 5. Five members of this Committee (of
whom one shall be the President or a Vice President,)
shall constitute a quoruin.
SECTION III.
OF THE ELECTION OF THE OITKERS AND MANAGING COMiMII-
TEE.
Article 6. The President, and Vice Presidents, aid
members of the Committee, shall be elected annually,
by ballot, at a general meeting, to be held in the month
of January ; and no member (with the exception of the
Tri .surer and Secretary,) shall be eligible to fill the
same office more than two years ; and one year must
ited;
is a
ward
the
ad-
tural
allorwards elapse, before he can a^'ain be clecled to
the same ollicc.
Aktici.k 7. 'J'he Treasurer and Secretary shall be
eligible to annual reelection, if willing to serve.
SI-:C^10N IV.
OV Tin: r.LF.CTION and AOMISSIOX of .AM'.Anjr.RS.
AnTirfiK 8. livery person desirous of becoming a
candidate for admission into the Association, miiy be
either an actual resident, or a non-resident /and holder
in son^e part of the District, and must he, proposed at a
[>ublic meeting by two or more members, who shall
then deliver to the ISecretary a paper bearing their sig-
natures, specifying his chriL-tian and surname, with his
usual place of residence ; which paper, after being
read by the Secretary, shall be hung up in the rending
room, or lie over, until the candidate is ballolted for.
AirnciJ:: 9. The bdl/ot for a candidate shall take
place at the next meeting after that at which he is pro-
posed ; and he shall not be (leclared elected uidess two-
thirds of the members present be in his favor.
Article 10. Every person so clecled, shall pay his
entrance fee and one year's subscri|)tion in advance,
and at the same time subscribe the following obligation,
viz : "We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do
hereby engage that we will endeavor to promote the
honor and interests of the Western District Literary,
Philosophical, and Agricultural Association, and ob-
serve the regulations, so long as we shall continue
members thereof." After which, the President, ad-
dressing him by name, shall ac(juaint him, in the name
of the Association, that he is duly elected a member,
and invite him to take his scat.
SECTION V.
IIONOUAHV MEMBERS.
Article 11. Persons residing in any part of the
Province, bciides the Western District, or in the moth-
er country, or the neighboring American states, who
may be distinguished for their literary or philosophical
(I
)
M
^i
y
1
s
;\r',«jiiirorn(;nls, or who may have, by their writings or
f:»»Mt,rihnlioiis, [>rotiiolcci any of the various objects of
the AHs<»ri;iliort, may be pruposcd as honorary mem-
Im;is ; tin; jtroposal being subscribed by as many as
liu. or(hn;iry members, and the election being subject
lo tiM! .same rules of ballot, as that of ordinary mem-
JHTH.
Ain-n i.i: I'i. Honorary members shall have the pri-
vil<;^';e nl iitlcndin;,' all meetings, and proposing candi-
(];iirs ; but shall not have the right to vote regarding,
..r III- (•li.!j;il(le to, any olTice in the Association.
AiMiii.'. !.'{. Honorary members, on becoming actu-
al rcsidi'Mis, or land -holders in the District, may be
translri Tc'l to the class of ordinary members, on com-
plvMi"- with (he rci,ailalions prescribed for that class.
SECTION VI.
ni- rni: coNrinui tfons of thk imembkrs.
Akthm: 11. I'jvery j)crson elected an ordinary mem-
Imt oI this Association shall, previous to his admission,
pay ti' (he 'i'l-casurer, lor the use and benefit thereof,
the Slim lA' two dollars entrance, in addition to the
first year's subscription of two dollars, regulated by
(h(^ .ianuary irciieral mooting ; but any person elected
at an internu'diato mectinir, to pay only in proportion
ti> ih(^ Mut'xpirc^l ]iart of the current year, at the rate
of 'Js (III per (jiiai'ter.
Aktk la: ir>. Honorarv members are subject to no
staled contributions or subscriptions.
SECTIOxN YIL
OF TUr, TilKAsrniF.U.
AiM'u I.e. 1(). The Treasurer shall receive all sums
t^r iueiit>y due to the Association, and pay all money
du. I'N It. aiul kccy a regular account of the same.
Auneee, 17. .Ml sums of monev iiavable on account
t>f tlu^ .Vssoiaation. shall be, bv order of the Alanacrinc
rt>miiult(n\ siiined l)y the President or Chairman of the
m(\Miii,'r. and rt\'^nstcM-(<il by the Secretarv.
AuTiem: Ks. The Treasurer.^ accounts to be audited
i
of
^ c
annually by the Committee, wjio shall thereupon re-
port at the January meeting, through the President,
the balance on haiul, and the generr.l state q{ the
funds.
SECTION VIII.
OF Tin: ^r.citr.TARv.
Artulk 10. The Secretarv shall have the manaac-
ment of the correspondence of the Association, under
the direction of the Tjesident, as well as the chariic of
anv books or donations bclonn'inii to it, and his duties
shall be, to attend all meetings of the Association and
of the Committee, and to take minutes o( their pro-
ceedings and enter ilie;n in books jtrovided iVu* that
purpose; and, also, when l!ie Chair is taken, to read
the minutes o( the preceding meeting, and record them
as confirmed : to give nolic'i of any candidates propos-
ed for admission, or to be ^allotted for; to announce
the receipt of any donation made to the Association, and
to read all letters and papers presented to it, unless the
writer of the latter happen to be present, and prefer
reading: it himself.
SECTION IX.
or DONATION*— WHETHKll PF.l I'MAliV, LITF.RAUV, OR SCH'.N-
TIFIC.
Article '^O. The gradual formation of a library and
museum being contemj'lated by the Association, every
[lerson who shall contribute, in any way, towards that
desirable object, shall receive the thanks of the same,
through the Secretary, and be recorded as a benefac-
tor, and his name shall be annually read as such at the
frcneral rneetin::: in Januarv, in addition to beinij insert-
ed in an appendix to such volumes of transactions of
the so'^iety as may be published from time to time.
SECTION X.
.ui3CELLA\EOUS— CONNECTED WITH THE FORMS OF PROCEED-
INGS AT THE VARIOL'.-? PERIODICAL MEETINGS.
Article 21. The meetings of the Association, with
the exception of that in January, to be held at least
quarterly, at such lime and place, &:.c., as may be
10
T
f
I,
■ (.<
agreed upon at the previous meeting, and be publicly
advertised by the Secretary, a fortnight before hand ;
and the same to be held in the evening, subject to a tem-
porary adjournment, for the purpose of tlie members
partaking together of the social refreshment of tea
and coflec, and afterwards resuming the business of the
evening.
Article 22. A special general meeting may be call-
ed at any time, by the President^ at th^^ request of the
majority of the committee, or at the written requisition
of any ten members, subject to the same rules as the
foregoing.
Article 23. Every member to be at liberty to bring
one friend with him to each public meeting, who shall
be introduced to the President and Secretary, and have
their names inserted in a book, to be called the visitors
book, to be kept for the purpose ; and ladies to be
equally eligible as gentlemen to be present on these oc-
casions.
Article 24. All papers or lectures intended to be
read or delivered before the Association, shall be pub-
licly announced by the Secretary, at the time of notify-
ing the meeting at which such is to take place, and on
these occasions, extempore arguments, pro and con,
shall be invited from such members as may have given
the subject under discussion particular previous atten-
tion, or who may, on the spur of the moment, feel dis-
posed to enter the lists, either in favor of, or opposed to,
the views of the writer ; and subjects connected with
the illustration of the natural history, the improvement
of the agriculture, or the development of the commer-
cial resources of the Province in general, and of the
District in particular, shall be especially contemplated
and encouraged ; and with a further view to this pa-
triotic object, as soon as the funds of the society shall
admit of it, topics shall be periodically selected for
prize essays, the competitors for which shall not be
limited to the members of the club.
Article 25. All papers, essays, and lectures, read
before the Association, shall be considered as its pro-
11
oc-
pcrty, and be liable to be published at the discretion of
a sub-committee of papers, either at length or in ab-
stract, in a volume to be put forth periodically, at the
lowest possible price, for general circulation among the
members and others, and be denominated •' Transac-
tions of the Western District Literary, Philosophical,
and Agricultural Association."
Article 20. On the reading of any paper or the
delivery of the lecture of the evening being announced
by the President, the reader, or lecturer, shall take
post at a desk on the left of the President, and continue
to occupy the same until tho conclusion of any argu-
ments advanced by members present, including the
writers reply thereto; after which he shall resume his
usual scat.
Article 27. Any member having occasion to speak
or enter into debate, shall do so standing, and ad-
dress himself, in the first instance, to t!ic President ;
and no member to interrupt another sj^cakcr, except in
necessary exj)lanation, or to call him to order ; and the
decision on the latter point, if doubtful, to be invaria-
bly referred to the President.
Article 28. All subjects to be open for lectures or
debate, with the exception of religion and ■politics.
m
m
i -S'
NOTICE
IJY OUl)l':il OF TJiE MANAGING C03JxMlTTKK
Immediately after the adoption of the By-laws, de-
tailed in the preceding pages, the President delivered a
discourse, elucidative of the various objects of the So-
ciety, which being received by the meeting with nnarked
approbation, it was moved by the Honorable Chief Jus-
tice Robinson, honorary member, and seconded by the
Honorobic James Gordon, and unanimously agreed, that
the latter should be printed for general information with
as little delay as convenient.
In accordance with this decision, united with a com-
pliance with the subsequent vote for the printing of the
By-laws, tlic Comnjittee have judged it advisable, as
well as most desirable, to publish the Discourse and the
By-laws together, as not only intimately connected
with each other, but as aflbrding, conjointly, the most
satisfactory and encouraging view of the laudable ob-
jects of the Association.
(Signed,) R. PEDEN, Secretary.
Afnhersthurgh, September SO, 1842.
i
A DISCOURSE
READ AT A MEETING OF THE
WESTERU DISTRICT LITERARY, PHILOSOPHICAL
AND
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.
SEPTEMDEIl 23, 1842,
BY MAJOR R, LACHLAI; PRESIIjEIT.
Gentlemen — The deliberate adoption of our code
of by-laws, which has just taken place, having stamped
our society with a character of promising stability and
permanency, and at the same time given a regulated
impetus to our future proceedings, from which much
may reasonably be expected, provided the members
(as I have every reason to hope will be the case,)
shall continue animated with the same cordial and
emulous spirit as at present, I have felt bound by the
prominent position in which your kind partiality has
placed me, to endeavor to show, so far, a good exam-
ple, on so auspicious an occasion, by throwing together
for your leisure consideration and reflection, a few de-
sultory observations, tending to point out and illustrate
the many great advantages and benefits derivable from
the establishment of societies such as ours, in any
country, but more particularly in a remote and thinly
settled part of an important, young, and rising colony,
like Canada. In, however, assigning to myself this
bold introductory task, I shall have many reasons to
claim your indulgence, and shall therefore still shelter
nfiyself under the sincere preliminary apology made by
me at our last meeting, and which I would therefore wish
to bring, for a moment, to your recollection, namely,
2
I
14
M
tbst "lliougli I had not hesitated to accede to the de-
sire of my friends tiiat I should take the chair on that
occasion, it vva;» not because 1 fancied myself, by any
means, better f[uaiiiicd for the duty than many whom I
sawpiesent, but because having long earnestly desired
to witness the foundation of an intellectual association,
such as that contemplated by us, and being anxious to
do all in my power to advance so commendable an ob-
ject, I also felt, that I should thereby have an oppor-
tunity of aflbrding, in my own person, an appropriate
example of what I have had some difticulty in convinc-
ing most of my friends, namely, — that to be a useful,
though unkanied, member of a literary and philosophi-
cal society, requires neither the previous qualification
of rare literary talents, or great scientific or philosophi-
cal acquirements, but simply a sincere love of know-
ledge and an earnest desire to seek and profit by every
opportunity of acquiring information and instruction in
the society of those who may be able to imparl it.''
Nay, I even wont farther, and said that " though men
of learning may bu required to lead the way in the
more abstruse and unfrequented paths of research, so
intimately were science and philosophy in one way or
another united and interwoven with the ordinary pur-
suits and occupations of life, that, in a society aiming
at mutual instruction, such as ours is designed to be, it
is in the power of almost every reflecting, moderately
educated man, to bear a part in the practical illustra-
tion of some subject or other, without any previous
pretensions to what is termed classical learning."
Taking the foregoing statement, united with the
genial spirit of our fundamental resolutions, which have
just been read, as my creed and guide, I at once
boldly, yet humbly, take my stand in behalf of so good
a cause, and unhesitatingly ask you, once more, where
is the insurmountable bar to carrying our laudable pur-
pose into efTcct \ And I ns promptly echo — no where ! —
As well observed by more than one learned and rever
end friend, at our last meeting, though our society may
16
??
spring from a very humble and unpretending origin,
who can foretel what may prove \\\c great and ineslirna-
ble results'? It is true, that the proposal for establish-
ing our Society has been received with coldness and
indidcrence by some, from whom the very reverse was
to have been expected, and that others have urged as
their excuse for not joining us, that they considered the
thing altogether impracticable in the i)rcsont state of
our population and society, though it fnlgltl, perhaps,
succeed some fd'ty years hence !
It is unnecessary to waste time or words in specula-
ting on the cause of the a|)parent apathy of the former,
but admitting the latter to be the case, I would say,
that if so the more desirable and commendable must be
the attempt at an earlier establishment of an Association
of the liind ; and therefore the more will be nu?' merit if
we happily succeed. So, instead of being discouraged
by such apathetic remarks, they ought only to inspire
us with greater zeal and perseverance in the endeavor
to realize the laudable ol)ject we have in view. But,
gentlemen, all past experience will bear ample testimo-
ny to the fact, that neither the march of intellect, the
extension of science, nor the advance of discovery, are
to be measured by the tardy progressive lapse of a cer-
tain number of ^^ slow remhing ycars,^^ otherwise,
where, let me ask, would have been the recent numer-
ous invaluable, vet almost simultaneous discoveries in
modern CVicmislnj, or the sudden development of the till
lately considered infant science of Geology ? and where,
also, the rapid transition, from the first experiment to
the practical application of Gas to all its useful and
brilliant purposes? and where, above all, would have
been the truly wonderful, nay, almost miraculous, re-
sults of the various successive researches directed to
the employment of that versatile and almost omnipo-
tent agent, Steam? whether connected with machin-
ery, manufactures, locomotion, or navigation ; that, as
it were, disdainfully anticipating centuries of gradual
time and space, as far as human life and distance are
concerned, have at once burst upon an astonished
16
world in an hundred forms, and yet whose truly gigan-
tic powers may, after all, be said to be still only in their
infancy ! Yes, let but that great desideratum, a right
earnest inclination, or zealous emulative impulse, be
once happily felt and fairly roused, and natural genius,
cultivated talent, or persevering industry, and some-
times even lucky accident, will frequently overcome
the most discouraging, and, till boldly grappled with,
apparently insurmountable obstacles and dilliculties ;
and, in a moment, to our own ultcr surprise and de-
light, hurry us on centuries in advance of the sluggish
anticipations or calcnlntions of the dull, doubting nge
in which we happen to live.
Be it also remembered, forour furtlier enrourafrcment,
that some of even the most celebrated Literary and
Philosophical Associations of modern Europe, have
taken their rise from very humble beginnings, and that
the greater proportion also sprung up rather simultan-
eously, than progressively, as it were, by ihe mere
power of emulous example, amoni^ nations speaking dif-
ferent languages, and arrived at, by no means, the same
degree of civilization ; and it is a singular fact, that
splendid and extended as m.ost of these national institu-
tions now are, there are not many that can boast of hav-
ing been much more than a century in active existence.
The first continental Literary Association (more
generally distinguished by the classical name of Aca-
demies,) of which any record has been preserved, was
established so far back as in the eighth century, by the
Emperor Charlemagne, and had for its joint object, the
improvement of the language of the country, and the
encouragement of a taste for polite literature. But the
next, which was instituted in Italy, was founded so late
as the middle of the sixteenth century, under the quaint
name of the "Academy of the Secrets of JVatiire f^
and that was soon followed by many others of deserved
celebrity, in different parts of the same country, among
which, it is most encouraging for us to notice, that one
was founded at Bologna, in 1690, at the suggestion,
and by the exertions of a very young man, named Man-
I
17
ngc
."
frcdi, (then only in his sixtccntFi year,) which, after
publishing several volumes of transactions, united with
another society, and assumed the name of the *^%3.cade-
my of InUitulcs.''^
The celebrated ** French Academy^ — iho earliest of
that great nation's liitcrary Associations — dates its ex-
istence no ffirther back than 1635 ; and the still more
celebrated ^^ Mtlional Institute,'' of the same country,
composed of nil the learned and scientific academies of
France, was not established till 1795. The apparently
few Spanish and Porluguese literary institutions, are
also of very late dtite ; \he lioijal Spanish Academy,
for the improvement of the Spanish language, not hav-
ing been founded till 1714, iind the Royal Academy of
Portuguese History, in 1720, and that of Science, not
till 1779.
The more numerous German institutions were of
earlier date, and advanced to maturity under happier
auspices, and with prouder success. The Academy of
the Curiosities of jSiuture, was instituted in 1652, and
taken under the special protection of the Emperor
Leopold, in 1687. The once far-famed Royal Acade-
my of Sciences, at Berlin, including among its objects,
not only physical science nnd mathematics, but the
belles lettres, was established by Frederick I, in 1700,
and attained a high degree of literary eminence about
the middle of the 18th centur}'", under the auspices of
Frederick the Great ; and various other institutions,
having similar objects in view, rapidly sprung up in
the other German Stales.
The first literary and scientific institution establish-
ed in Russia, denominated the Royal Academy of Sci-
ences, was founded at St. Petersburg, under the wise
and liberal auspices of the Empress Catherine, so late
as 1725, and had, in the first instance, annexed to it the
Academy of Arts ; but the latter (to the peculiar or-
ganization of which, as calculated to promote the rapid
advancement of a nation, then only emerging from a state
of barbarism, I would call particular attention,) was af-
terwards formed into a separate institution, with funds,
2*
18
for the admission of no less than 300 scholars, who
enter at the ai>e of six, and remain till their eighteenth
year ; and who, at the ago of fourteen, are permitted
to choose, as a profession, any of the following arts, to
'wit — painlins;, c}igravi>t<r, carvuig, wa(ch-7/i(i/dng, and
some other arts; and ot those who have obtained lour an-
nual prizes, twelve arc sent abroad at the expense of the
government, for the purpose of improvement, and on
their return, and settling in any town, they receive an
annual salary, which is continued lor four years.
The Swetlish and Danish Literary Institutions, are
of a still later date. That of iSlockholin, termed the
Royal /ictidcnii/, was established in 1731), by a few pri-
vate IndividiiaLs, of whom the illustrious naturalist Lin-
naeiis was one ; and the Iloyal Academy of Copenha-
gen was similarly instituted, about three years after-
wards.
Among the many noble Literary and IMiilosophical
institutions now disseminated all over our mother coun-
try, and of which she has just reason to be proud, even
the great Iloyal Socivtij of London was not founded till
about the middle of the seventeenth century, and
that of Edinburgh, not till 1718. or rather not till
1763, when it was remodelled and rcirularlv incor-
porated ; while the Royal Irish AcadeiTiy dates its
origin t'rom a minor society, established in Dublin, so
late as 1782. And yet, such has been the genial influ-
ence of these no[)ular institutions, altogether independ-
ent of the dillerent universities and colleges, that one
can now scarcely name a town of moderate population
in the British dominions, which does not boast of either
its literary institution, or itssociety of arts, its mechan-
ics institute, or its museum, besides its public or sub-
scription libraries, and its reading rooms.
Independent of the leading national institutions just
alluded to, there area number of other important, in-
fluential public associations, devoted to the promotion
and extension of various other intellectual or pa-
triotic objects, such as the special encouragement of
the fine arts — a term now almost exclusively applied
4
\
\
10
to painting and sculpture — as well as of the mechanical
arts, the study and iinpi ovcmcnt of music as a science,
and tlie advancement of amjcullurc and cornincrce ;
ns, for instance, the Roytil Jlcadcinivs of , Iris and JVFu'
sic, in London, and llio iSocicly of ^^Irls, in Edinburgh;
the London Society for the cnconrasjcmcnt of Jlrts,
Manufactures, and Coniinercc, and the British IJoardof
Agricullnro ; tlie Roi/al ^Inricnlliira/. Socirtlcs of Lon-
don and K(lin/)iirgh, the; linj^ltland Socicfi/, of Scotland,
and the Dublin JJp;ricnllurul Sociefi) ; wjiilo those who
are more immediately coiincctud \\itli onr distant In-
dian (jmpire, have eslablishctl, in London, a Royal
Asiatic tSoiicty, and Muscnni, liaviiig ibr its sole object
llie })roniotionorUricnlal iiiteratnro ai;d Rcscnrch.
Thus, tiicrolore, in whatever (piarter ot the Old Coun-
try — as our beloved faihei-land is not inaptly termed,
in America — one's lot hapj)ens to be (^ast, opportunities
of associatiiinr with friends and neighbors ol coniictiial
minds and I'eolings, as well as willi men of ^jcience, or
superior general inlbrmation, in ahnost every grade of
society, are never wanting ; and, whtit is of cfjual, if
not greater importance, wlierever a youth happens to be
reared, in addition to the powcrfid inlluence of local
associations and examples, the inducements and facili-
ties held out for the seasonable cultivation of his mind,
or the maturer improvement of the talents which nature
and education may have bestowed upon him, are alto-
gether so abundant and accessible, as ever to ensure
\hQ forward march of intellect among the body of the
people, at a steady progressive pace.
Nor do our American neighbors set us, in this re-
spect, an unworthy example. For, independent of
their universities and colleges, and a variety of literary
and philosophical institutions, established at, or connect-
ed with, the capitals of the leading states, there are a
number of minor literary associations and schools of
Jlrts, Industry, and Agriculture, in many less noted
towns and villages, which, united with the laudable
provisions in general made throughout the Union, for
the promotion of education in all its branches, and the
90
I
t )
nbundant and cheap dissemination of useful p.c.nodicals,
have no doubt been productive of the ir.o;st beneficial
results. For, be it ever lenienibered, il.at if it be de-
sirable 10 be zealous in encouraging t'„Q cultivation of
knowledge in the dens.dy peopled regions of l-iuropc,
it must be doubly so in an cxteo ^jivc, new, and thinly
settled country like America — \vh()se far-dispersed and
isolated population, while vjirnggling hard to subdue
the vvicle-spiead priuievnl wilderness, for the necessa-
ry purposes of agricul'.vue, and civili/t'd life, arc but
loo apt to lose sight ^,f the vnlue of educaticMi, and al-
low the uncultival(\<j minds of their ofl-spring to full
gratlually bnck r.rHin a state of rustic ignorance.
If such a i"'^n)!nlv be applicable to the United State?,
where the '.nhabitnnls, iViim bt:ing, in a great measure,
dependei.'.t upon their own manulactures and resources,
arc n;Vturally spurred on to greater mental exertions, it
luu^ilbe ecpially, if not more so, to the, generally speak-
i'iiil, still more rccenllv setlleil and thinlv sprinkled
population of a slue It/ a<^rlcullur(il, forest-clad colony,
like CaiKidd, as yet, mainly depcmdent on the mother
country for every thing in the shape of manufactured
luxuries and comforts, beyond the mere proiiuce of the
soil, and where towns and villages are still few and far
between, and libraiies and literary ass(n'i;itions equally
rare ; for, notwilli^-landiiig the estahlishment of our
colleiies, and the dawning improvcn)ents in the diiler-
cnt hranches of our school system, it being impossible
to have even a common school established every
\vhcre, in situations convenient to all, the nature of the
almost incessant toil attending an agricultural life, uni-
ted with the isolated state of rural society, not only
tends to make the parent less alive to the value of edu-
cation, as regards himself, and less anxious, or rather,
perhaps, altogether inditlerent to the discharge of his
second great duty towards his children ; but, for want
of encouraging examples and opportunity, gradually ha-
bituates the latter to a discreditable state of unaspiring
ignorance, ending, not untVequently, in a feeling of apa-
thetic distaste, if not contempt, for every thing in the
oi
21
I
slinpo of nrqnircd knovvlod'To, boyond ihc guidance ot
llic pl()ii;;li, which, ill the course of a very short time,
extends its baiieltd iiillueiure over a wjiole neighbor-
hood.
Ahhoiiglj this rnehmcholy picture of tlic prevalence
of an inchsposition to eulti\ ate the mind, among botlj
old and young, will slill I:" foinid :ipplicabl(! to too large
a portion of our (jxtensive Province;, it is somewliat
consohitorv to reflect that, as far as the risinjLr trcncra-
lion IS concerned, opporlnnitics for education, suited to
every rank and station in society, from the learned
university to the nnpi'etcMiding common school, are ra-
pidly increasing and iu)proviiig, either under the imme-
diate ausjiices of the Government and I.egislature, or
the well directed inlkienee of patriotic national or reli-
gious communities ; and that, besides a numl)cr of aiiri'
cnltuval societies, establish(.'d in various parts of the
Province, associations of a literary, scientilie and f)lii-
losophical character have been sometime in operation
in dillerent tpiarters — such as the Royal L'lfcrary and
llintnricd/ Socic/i/, the Dvlxilbiff Socirlt/, and the J\Tc-
chaiiics' Institute, of Quebec ; the. Lit< rary Society of
Thre.e-Rivcni ; tlie. JS\itu.ra} Jlisfory Society, the Young
Mcn^s Society, and the J\fechonics^ Ins/if ntc, of , Montre-
al ; and the JMechanica'' Institutes of Kin<:fston, Toronto,
and London ; besides the ]Medi('al Societies of Quebec,
Montreal, Kingston, London, and the Western Dis-
trict.*
*Tlu! I/ilPrary and Historical Sorirty (if <iiioI)rc w.is inrorpnrjitnl by Royal char-
ter, in l^.'JI, '• lor tlir itroinolion oT rc>o:iri'ii('.-i into tlic pur'y lii-story ort'iiiiml-- for
the rrcovciiri!;. prociiriii;.', and pulilisliiii".', iloctiri'orjts nnd useful inforniatidi. «he
natiirai, civil, and litcraiy history of Hritisli Norili Amnlca, and forllicndva.
inent of the arts and scicnrcs In rnnrula :" .•■nil il is tlir onl\ iissociaiion ofthcki j
ill this country which has aimed at ihc ilist.n •lion of Hoyal In- or,ioralion. In iio-
ticHiK this circuinstance, it is somewhat lniiniliatiii<f loan Upper Canadian, to un-
derstand juid retlect, that with means and opporliinity so favoralde as Toronto pos-
Besses, that capilal slioiild, in s|)itc ot'ilie strenuous public spirited elForts of Doctor
Dunlop, Uoilor Itees, the late Mr. l''oilier<:iII, Jind a few olher.s. lie yet only able to
boast of a solil.-iry Meehanicii' Institule, ami n C'lmmrrcial Heading Uooin.
It is proper to add, th:it the efforts of llie frentleinen above alludol to, consisted of
the netiiiil orirani/.iition, at Toronto, so far lack .-is 1H.'}|, of a " Literary and Philo-
eophicnl Society of Upper Canada^ under the palrona<je of his excellency Sir John
Colbourn, for the investisr.ition of the natur.il and civil history of tiie colony and
whole interior, as far as the Pacific and Poitir seas, throughout the animal, vegeta-
ble and mineral kiiipdoni ; and also to pronio.te the study of natural history, natural
piiilosophy. and the fine arts ; but it is Kcnerully under.stood that, somehow or oth-
er, this Institution, though of SG much promise, has gradually become dormant, if not
altogether exUnct.
Ar
22
But, alas I even these bright spots in our otherwise
clouded horizon — and they, too, with few exceptions,
confined to the leading cili of the eastern division of
the Frovincc!- -only render the prevaihng '* darimess
visible" the more apparent; and may not inaptly be
compared to the solitary verdant Oases that meet the
weary eye of the traveler amid tlie wide-spread,
cheerless Arabian desert. And so little has a taste
for either use<'ul or ornamental literature been hitherto
encouraged or cultivated, that, leaving out of the ac-
count works on Canada published in England, Canadi-
an publiSrU^i^ beyond the ephemeral sphere of a news-
paper, [Tre yet almost unknown, if we except a volume
ov two of legal reference, a treatise on Canadian Agri-
culture, one or two works on our topography and
embryo statistics, two or three abortive attempts at
mapazines and reviews, and that latelv commenced
meritorious agricultural periodical, the Br'ithh Ameri-
can Cullivator, to which everv true British Canadian
farmer is bound to o-ive everv encouragement and sup-
port. Among ihe few remaining llowers of Canadian
literature, however, one delights to bring to recollec-
tion the poetic merit of a JMoodi/, and the still more
versatile talent of a Richardson — of the latter of w^hom,
the Western District, and Amhersiburgh in particular,
has reason to be proud. But here closes our scanty
catalogue — whereas, I am fully persuaded that were
the iniluential members of the community in every dis-
trict to set the example of cultivating a taste for litera-
ture and useful information, not only would the lamp of
education and the torch of knowledge be ere long found
shedding their united genial light (A'er every populous
town and thriving village, but penetrating into every
sequestered shanty in the lonely wilderness! And.
therefore, should tlie hu.iible eftbrts of our society be
happily found conducive to so truly desirable a co.i-
summation, we shall on tha^ account alone ever have
just cause to rejoice at its establishment.*
*It is grat,f\ ins to lie alile to a.IJ that while tliis little pamphlet is goinp through
the press, the Provincial Legislature have evinced their willingness to encouruge
I
1
1.!
23
Tc return from this pardonable — because instructive
as well as inviting — digression, to the contemplation of
the immediate laudable purpose of our Association, and
the prospect of its ultimate realization, through the
humble agency of unlearned individuals like myself:
Allow me, as a preliminary step, to bring once more to
your remembrance the encouraging spirit of our funda-
mental regulations, as read this evening, particularly the
1st, 2d, 4th, and 5th, coupled with the quotation which I
have been led to make from my onening remarks at our
last meeting; and bearing these in mind, let mo now
proceed to demonstrate, that however bold, and albeit
unscholastic, the latter observations may be, they ar(
nevertheless, based on sound observation and experi-
ence.
In the first place, then, be it remembered, that our
great aim is the general pursuit of knowledge, com-
bined with an endeavor to create and nourish a socUil
spirit of incjuiry and research, not only for our own
mutual benefit and instrnciion, but, by tlio power of
united precept and example, for tiiat of the rising gen-
eration, and that therefore one great leading object, in-
dependent of the gradual foundation of a library and
museum, and what may, in time, ho reasonably hoped
for, in the form of lectures and essays on scientific and
popular subjects, is the accumulation and concentration,
for future dissemination, of isolated, useful and inter-
esting facts, tending, either by their novelty to the
direct increase of our sto'^k of local knowledge, or on
the one hand, to illustrate and confirm, little known but
well grounded information, or on the other, to expose
and confute erroneous, though received opinions, on
any matters within our reach. Setting aside, then,
for the present, all the more abstrus^ and learned sub-
jects — though I do not, by any means, despair of fu-
ture aid in even these departments of research — it may
be asked what are the legitimate objects of investiga-
iltcrary ». '.-or?; Ity j^ranling jC'2>>0 in tiiil of .M;ijor RidiJirdson's forlh-coining
history of (he late war, and n similar sum towards the publication of a work of
legal reference, now in press in Lower Canada.
24
tions, in which the unlearned gleaner may bear a use-
ful part. I answer :
1st. Every thing partaking of the character of sta-
tistics, whether connected with our noble Province at
large, or our fine, but little valued "and much neglected
district, and its component parts, in particular.
2d. Personal memoirs, or local, historical, and chro-
nological sketches, tending to furnish hereafter, a valu-
able, unbroken chain of materials, towards a correct
general history of the colony.
3d. Topographical or other descriptive notes of the
natural features of any part of the province or district,
but more particularly of the latte;. And
4th. Detached memoranda, or more elaborate details
regarding the progressive or existing state of agricul-
ture, trade, or ma.iufactures, in different parts of the
country, and descriptive accounts of new or improved
mechanical or other inventions, but more particularly
o^ those connected with the implements of husbandry.
Under the first of these interesting heads, might, for
instance, be classed, independent of general statistics:
Isl. Sketches of the first settlement and progressive im-
provement of every or any township, town, or village in
the district or elsewhere, with comparative tabular views
of the gradual increase of their population up to the pre
sent time. 2d. Descriptions of the original wild natural
features, compared with the present improved or culti-
vated aspect of diifercnt parts of the country, combined
with interesting anecdotes of the first settlers. 3d.
Enumerations of the various crops and other produc-
tions that have from time to time been introduced into
theprrts described, the avera<xe yearly quantities rai
sed, the prices obtained at different periods, ai.d the
markets to which sent. 4th. Meteorological diaries,
showing the range of the thermometer, near to and re-
mote from, the great lakes, with notices of the wind
and weather, and other natural phenomena, illustra-
tive of the climate and seasons, either for a complete
year, or a series of years.
Under the 2d, equally interesting and important head,
I
1
nu
1
mt
1
mc
ma
div
dci
en
ac(
cr(
1
i
25
I use-
f sta-
ice at
lected
chro-
, valu-
orrect
of the
istrict,
details
gricul-
of the
proved
jularly
andry.
rht, for
istics :
ive im-
llngein
r views
he pre
natural
r culti-
mbined
s. 3d.
Dfoduc-
:ed into
les rai
u;d the
diaries,
and re-
e wind
iilustra-
omplete
nt head,
may be included : 1st. Biographical memoirs of illus-
trious or remarkable individuals, in every station of
life, without distinction of nation or color, in any
way connected with the history of thg province. 2d.
Sketches of the reputed origin and first settlement, and
now evidently rapid decline of the various Indian nations
or tribes, of which, only disjointed remnants are now
found scattered over various parts of Canada, and who
are generally regarded by us as its aborigitial inhabit-
ants ; together with comprehensive synoptical views
of the several dialects or languages in use among the
different tribes ; and — though last, not least — 3d. Me-
moirs or narratives of any of the warlike operations, or
military exploits, of which either the province at large,
or particular parts of our own district, may have been
the eventful scene.
Under the 3d head would be gladly received, descrip-
tive memoranda of the natural or geological features of
particular or remarkable parts of the country, which
would be rendered still more acceptable and valuable if
occasionally accompanied by specimens of any peculiar
soils, and of such rocks or other minerals, such as iron
ore, &c., as may attract attention. Also, accounts of
any remarkable natural curiosities or phenomena, in-
cluding observations jn the supposed periodical rise and
fall of the great lakes, descriptions of an"*^ -^linor lakes,
or of other smaller inland reservoirs, such as unusually
extensive marsht3s, the source and course of our rivers,
and the situation of remarkable springs, particularly
those of a mineral character.
Under the 4th general head, in addition to the accu-
mulation of valuable descriptions of now or improved
mechanical inventions, — which would be rendered still
more acceptable if accompanied by plans — and what
may be gleaned connected with acrriculture under the
division of statistics, might be embodied a sci'ies of
descriptive lists of the various productions of the differ-
ent townships, with the relative proj^ortions of each;
accounts of the successful introduction of any new
crops, or of improvements in the raising of any old
1^0
ones, with details of the progress ami resuhs of experi-
ments mado in attnining the latter object, vvhoUier con-
nected with the choice and treatment of seed, the pro-
per preparation of the land by any peculiar mode of
tillage, or the apphcation of manures best suited to par-
ticular vegetable productions. In fact, every thing
leading towards the introduction of an improved system
of husbandry, adapted to the various soils and range
of climate in diilerent parts of the Province. Also,
similar details connected with the rearing of improved
breeds of cattle of every description, including the
amelioration of what mav be termed our native breeds:
in treating of the latter of which, it might be interest-
ing to endeavor to trace back our refuted native Cana-
dian stock to their source. Under the divisions of
trade and manufactures, may be concentrated much
acceptable general information, as well as more par-
ticular details, relative to the various existing articles of
import and export trade, but especially the latter, fur-
nished by diilerent ])arts of the country, including any
local sta[)le cotniiiodilies, which might hereafter prove
of greater importance, whether the produce of the soil,
or the mamifucture of its inhabitants; together with
hints on any other subjects, holding out encourage*
ment for the introduction of additional productions or
manufactures at all likely to prove beneficial to the
country hereafter, cither as articles of home consump-
tion or export trade. And thus, let me add, in the
present unfortunately dorniant state of our district
.^Igricultural Societi/, our labors, as a minor, congenial
association, will not be without value ; though, as I
have already stated, I would look forward with far
izreatcr satisfaction to the thorough revival of the for-
mer, and to the Literary and Philosophical Association
proving of essential subsidiary service to the cause of
agriculture, by becoming the scientific theoretic nursery
of many of the Agricultural Society's extended pi^ac-
tical operations.
But these, gentlemen, are only a few of the numer-
ous and discursive themes which present themselves to
WH"
mm
27
'a
Kpen-
r con-
2 pro-
3de of
o par-
thing
ystem
range
Also,
roved
the
reeds;
teresl-
Cana-
ons of
much
e par-
rcles of
jr, fur-
ig any
• prove
lie soil,
r with
>u rage-
ions or
to the
nsump-
in the
district
ngenial
h, as I
'ith far
ihe for-
ociation
ause of
lursery
d pj^ac-
numer-
elves lo
our view, as so many prominent, inviting features in
the almost boundless intelleetuMJ landscape around us ;
for, with an ample and diversilied sc(>])c, embracing
•' wliutciicr is performed by niaii or produced hij nature,'^
llicre are a lliousaiid acceptable subjects, independent
of abstract literature, [)liilosopliy, or science, which
need only be touclieci u|U)ii lo become ini cresting to a
society aiming at muiiml iti^lruciion^ and the greater
part of which recjuire only well directed ini' jlry, and
what is termed good common sense and observation,
instead of any eiibrt of learncii talent, to be engaged in
with satislaclion and success. Jic not then, I entreat
you, by any means discouraged, even though the fruits
of our labors may, for a season, be fevv and uncertain ;
but let us, one and all, lay our shoulders lustily to the
wheel, and recollecting that it is for the benefit of the
rising generation, as much as ourselves, that we are
called into action, let each in(]uire witliin himself, and
among his immediate friends, in what way he can con-
tribute his little mite — be it even the widow's nillc —
towards our general stock, and he will find there can
be little doubt of a prosperous ultimate result. For
you may depend upon it. that if you yourselves arc
found to be in earnest in your patriotic and instructive
clforts, there will, in the end, i.ot be wanting among
our friends and well-wishcj's — far lieyond the pale of
our limited society — libeial, learned, and scientific indi-
viduals, who, when opportunities offer, will be happy
to be contributors to the commendable objects we have
in view, by cither presenting us with appropriate
donations, or transmitting to us valuable tracts, on
interesting and desirable subjects, or by delivering,
personally, at our meetings, occasional popular lectures
on some useful or ornamental branch of U\e sciences,
or mechanical arts ; and thereby, as I have already ex-
presscui a hope would be the case, enable our Society
to partake, at times, of the character of the •/V/c^cZ/ari/cs'
InsUiuic — a class of popular associations, which have,
of late years, been productive of a vast degree of good
'Ml
»f .1
V
! ;i
i '
; i!
m
;:|n I
I
28
in the mother country, and which, I trust will, erelong,
also extend their genial influence over Canada.
One word more, my friends, and I have done with
this unmerciful trespass on your patience. If there be
still atiiong us any individual who, from a conscious
sense of a doficicncy of what is termed classical educa-
tion, feels dismayed at the apparent formidable title of
" Literary and Philosophical,^'' assumed by rur society,
let me entreat you to throw aside your fearis, and enter
holdly, and zealously, and energetically, upon what-
ever you may feel best suited to the natural bent of
your inclination and talents, and be assured that grati-
lication and success will more or less crown your ef-
forts ; and if further encouragement be still wanting,
let it be borne in mind, that many of the brightest or-
naments of British learning, and some of the most suc-
cessful promoters of the arts and sciences, were not
only men of humble origin and defective school educa-
tion, but altogether self-taught, in the strictest sense of
the word — and who, till their powerful, yet hitherto un-
cultivated minds were, perhaps even at a late period of
life, applied to some engrossing, congenial pursuit, were
altogether unconscious of possessing talent at all superi-
or to their surrounding friends and companions: — and of
these, did time permit, a most interesting and instruc-
tive list could, with very little trouble, be presented to
your contemplation. Na^^ more, it may be added that
many a triumph in the abstruse sciences, as well as in
the elegant and useful arts, in some instances, tending
to the very perfecting of the most intricate and potent
combinations of mechanical power, have been the re-
sult of lucky accident, at times when the fortunate and
agreeably surprised, but till then, perhaps, despairing
discoverer, was probably in pursuit of some minor, or
even diflerent object.
Such, gentlemen, being the inviting, diversified pros-
pect before us, it is impossible but that some feature or
other will be found to strike home to the understanding,
feelings, taste, observation, or experience of some indi-
vidual among our patriotic little band ; and therefore,
29
e long,
with
ere be
liscious
cduca-
tille of
ocicty,
1 enter
what-
jent ol
t grati-
ou? ef-
antiiig.
lest or-
ost suc-
ere not
educa-
sense of
erto un-
eriod of
it, were
1 s 1.1 per i-
— and of
instruc-
entcd to
ded that
oil as in
tending
I potent
tiie re-
late and
spairing
linor, or
-•'i-
over bearing in mind the observation of the historian
Clarendon, that " there is no art or science too difficult
for industry'^ — let me at once conclude this lengthened
appeal to your energies in the emphatic language of
the late Marquis of Hastings, while addressing the as-
sembled members of a collegiate institution in India :
" Dare you, when the meed is thus displayed to you,
dare you refrain from contending for it, since refusal to
make the effort, must argue either a soul too grovelling
to appreciate the object, or an internal consciousness
of despicable destitution of means ! I will not, I can-
not, I do not, susjiect that any one whom I am now
addressing is capable of shrinking from the exertion.
Should an ingenuous doubt of powers intimidate any
of you, let him take courage ; let him trust that he
will find in himself energies on which he has never yet
ventured to calculate. The strufrfjle will aive vou
strenglh. Strwn — and succeed /"'
od pros-
ature or
tanding,
me indi-
lercfore,