world, and sin and suffering encompass me, I will visit the grave of her who is in heaven; and as I read on the plain stone the name of Hannah Dyer, I shall be regenerated by impressions which exalt and purify my heart, matured to penitence and peace by the faint stirrings of that better spirit which cannot be quenched.

PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES.

W.

MANCHESTER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

WHEN We examine the causes that operate in producing the rise and fall of empires, and the varied agencies that have aided in bringing the world to its present moral and intellectual condition, we pause with feelings of pleasure to reflect for a moment on the origin and progress of our scientific institutions. The statesman wields the truncheon of command, and the warrior leads devoted thousands to an early death: but these in vain attempt to join nations in bonds of friendship: some jealousy discovers a new cause for quarrel, and, for trifling reasons, contending people again meet in all the hateful array of war. What these powerful agents fail to accomplish, is achieved by the humble hand of science. Its votaries, pursuing their peaceful discoveries, form connections and friendships which national quarrels in vain try to interrupt. Their interests and opinions (devoid of prejudice) seem apart from those of the world; and when this happy communion becomes more extended, that national hatred, so injurious in its effects, will disappear from the face of the earth-we shall no more hear such epithets as the too common one, "natural enemies," but know and feel that our greatest blessing is universal peace and universal friendship.

In producing and strengthening this silken tie between one nation and another, our philosophical institutions stand pre-eminent. Alike formed and supported by a numerous concourse of people, they must in time exhibit effects upon public opinion. Here, individuals of opposite political principles (those banes of private friendship) meet together; they alike communicate and listen to communica tions of discoveries: the harmless discussions which ensue, strengthen, rather than interrupt the happy feeling, and they separate with the full conviction that this is an arena on which persons of all ranks, all principles, and all nations may meet in friendly and agreeable intercourse.

As in many other instances, comparative trifles first led to the

formation of a Natural History Society in Manchester: some of the inhabitants of that large and populous town had long contemplated having an additional institution to the one already proceeding so successfully under the auspices of Dalton-some society where collections of all the rich and varied objects of creation should be brought together; where, even in the centre of a commercial town, the admirer of Nature might study the beauties of the inhabitants of woods and wilds-might at once transport his thoughts from the busy scene of bustle and turmoil with which he was surrounded, and for a time revel amidst the productions of distant climes.

An opportunity at length offered itself for carrying this design into effect in 1821, a collection of birds and insects-the former comprising many rare and valuable specimens were offered for sale; a small body of spirited individuals met and agreed to purchase them, and these specimens became the nucleus around which were to accumulate the now splendid collections of the Manchester Natural History Society. The insects had been collected some time previous by Lee Phillips, Esq., and at that period, when collections of natural objects were more rarely formed, exhibited a valuable assemblage both of foreign and British specimens. The most complete department was that of British Lepidoptera, which, even at the present time, is highly valuable. Amongst the birds were many of considerable interest, especially some rare specimens of Myotherinæ. The greater part were collected by M. Freyreiss, who was employed by a society of Vienna to collect specimens in South America, where he staid some years. After his employers were supplied with the more valuable results of his labours, some of the duplicates came into the possession of the late Mr. Robinson, from whose friends, on his decease, they were bought by the gentlemen who thus first commenced the Manchester Natural History Society. This purchase being made, it was necessary to adopt some measures for the preservation of the collection, and to endeavour, as soon as possible, to obtain additional contributions. A room was taken in Cross-street, St. Ann's Square, and Mr. T. Harrop was appointed to take charge of the specimens, and stuff such birds or other animals as were sent in.

No addition of great importance was made until the latter part of 1822, when the collection of minerals belonging to Mr. Strutt, of Derby, was purchased; at once filling up, to a certain extent, a department of the highest importance, and one in which the Society was very deficient. This collection being obtained, the museum took at once a higher rank. The visitors were gratified by the interest they found in the specimens, the increased variety affording a more ample field for study and contemplation.

A gradual accession of specimens was made during the years 1823 and 1824, especially in the department of foreign Ornithology, which rapidly increased. The proximity of Manchester to Liverpool, where ships were daily arriving from all quarters of the globe, bringing with them specimens and illustrations of every de

partment of the vast field of Nature, gave the officers of the institution great advantages; and of these they availed themselves in the most active and persevering manner, each endeavouring to vie with the rest in promoting the prospects and ensuring the success of the society. The apartments occupied now became much too small for the proper display of the property as well as for the general accommodation of the society, and consequently, in 1825, they removed to a more convenient building in King-street, where two large and well-lighted rooms contributed much to the good appearance of the specimens. The chief deficiency consisted in the want of a conchological collection, and to remedy this an extensive one was purchased from Mr. Swainson, which, however, was almost entirely composed of foreign species.

No addition of particular importance was now made for some time, but a variety of contributions were received from its friends, both at home and abroad, and numerous minor purchases were made. The birds, from their numbers and splendour, attracted general attention, and already ranked as one of the first collections in the kingdom; whilst the minerals, shells, and insects, for that period, were far from contemptible.

In 1832 it was evident that the new building was not sufficiently extensive for the reception and display of the specimens accumulated, and the propriety of having one erected expressly for the purpose was suggested. This proposition was acted upon the following year, when, a convenient site being selected in Peter-street, the present hall of the Society was commenced. The plot of land secured was much larger than the actual building required, to enable future additions to be made; a precaution highly necessary, from the great demand for warehouses and other buildings in that part of the town. In 1834 the Society received a considerable addition by the purchase of a collection of Crustacea belonging to the late Rev. L. Guilding; and in April, 1836, the new hall of the Society being completed, the specimens were removed from their old situation to the places they now occupy.

The department in which this institution most excels is certainly that of Ornithology. The collection of British birds wants but few to make it complete, and the foreign one contains about eighteen hundred specimens ; amongst these are many rare and undescribed species. Hitherto the birds have only been arranged in general groups, but on the appointment of Mr. W. C. Williamson, in the autumn of 1835, to the office of curator, a new system of arrangement was commenced. The first step was the separation of the British from the foreign birds, which were placed in another room. The former were arranged according to the catalogue recently published by Jenyns, and grouped so as to simplify as much as possible the study of Ornithology. All the birds of one genus are brought together and placed upon one group of artificial branches, with the name of the genus fixed at the root, or point where the branch is fastened to the case. For the next genus a se

parate branch is employed, totally unconnected with the other, so that the student may perceive, at a casual glance, what birds belong to the one genus and what to the other. To each bird is attached a label with its generic, specific, and provincial names, and also a number referring to a printed catalogue, by means of which their regular order of succession may be traced.

The arrangement of the collection of foreign birds is not yet completed. The classification of Cuvier, as illustrated by Griffith, is adopted in preference to any other. This classification is far from being a natural one; but it is questionable whether any other has yet been published to supersede it. That of Mr. Vigors will ultimately be much superior, but for want of more ample specific illustrations it cannot at present well be employed. The arrangement of all the objects of creation in one straight line will always be unnatural. It is highly desirable, however, that the arrangement should approach as near to the natural chain as possible, and at present there is certainly ample room for improvement; but the true positions of some few species, as the Gypogeranus serpentarius and Mænura superba, will long, we fear, be a gordian knot that naturalists will in vain attempt to unravel.

The collection of British Coleopterous, Hymenopterous, and Neuropterous insects, has been re-arranged, according to Stephens's Synopsis. These departments are very thinly supplied with specimens, a small portion only of the known species being yet obtained. We hope that such collectors as possess duplicate specimens will add their mite towards rendering the Manchester collection as complete as possible. The British shells are equally incomplete, but a small portion of the number existing in England having been as yet procured. The collection of foreign shells is far more extensive, and is at present under process of arrangement, according to the system of Lamarck. Here some difficulty exists in introducing the new genera of Sowerby and Broderip, the works of the former being published in so unconnected a form.

The greatest desideratum now consists in illustrative geological specimens. Those that the Society possess are arranged upon sloping shelves, as adopted in the museum at Scarborough. This plan has certainly some imperfections; but in districts where extensive natural sections cannot be met with, it materially assists in giving the student a distinct idea of the principles of stratification, and the relative antiquity of rocks.

The museum contains some beautiful specimens of Mammalia, especially of a few of the larger species. The space these occupy, and the great expense attendant upon the means of obtaining them, have hitherto prevented the Society from possessing so complete a collection as would be desirable; but, in beauty of appearance, such specimens as are already in the museum will yield to none.

It is easy to foresee the future prospects of this valuable institution. If it continues to increase with the same rapidity that has been so characteristic of its progress during the last fourteen years,

another such period will see it at the head of all British societies of the same nature. However enviable such a position must be, no feeling of jealousy towards sister institutions should lead it to strive for pre-eminence, except the generous principle of emulation. Whilst using every exertion to take a lead in the cause of science, the Society should offer a helping hand to those labouring in the same noble and glorious work-that of making man acquainted with the rich and varied objects that a beneficent Creator has placed around him, refining his mind and aiding his imagination by presenting him with pictures of the most transcendent beauty, laying before him evidences and undeniable proofs of design on every hand, and thus preparing him

"to look from Nature up to Nature's God."

YORK PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

ABOUT the year 1822, the existence of fossil bones in the Cave of Kirkdale, first became known to the public. This circumstance having attracted a considerable share of attention, it was considered desirable that a collection of these organic remains should be permanently deposited in the county, and the want of a suitable place for their reception first suggested the idea of forming the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. In the first printed report of the Society, it is stated that its general object is the promotion of science in the district for which it has been instituted; and for this end it would enroll among its members, not only those who are themselves engaged in philosophical pursuits, but all by whom the value of such studies is duly appreciated. One of its aims is to facilitate communications of philosophical opinions and facts, by holding general meetings at which papers may be read and oral information received. Another object is to establish a scientific library, for which purpose a collection will be made of transactions of learned societies, Journals of Science, and works on Arts, Antiquities, and Natural History-especially the Mineralogy and Geology of Yorkshirecollections of specimens of Comparative Anatomy, Natural History, &c., will also be made, and the museum will be open to antiquities, or any other curiosities found in Yorkshire.

The property is vested in the subscribing members for the time being, as there are no shares or transferable possessions. Each member pays £5. on admission, and an annual subscription of £1.

In the first report, the names of 120 subscribers were included; and it contained an acknowledgement of a donation, from six gentlemen, of 2000 fossils, mostly illustrative of the Geology of the county, and 245 from Kirkdale Cave; some additional minerals were obtained by purchase. In the following year, the collection had increased so greatly, that the apartments became too small, and