modern criticism, much good must come of it; yet some will complain, disputants will be deprived of many quotations proved to be in common use after quite another than the author's meaning, and fields of logomachia will lose much of their interest. Broader, deeper, perhaps less exact, will be the limits of criticism; but the noble thoughts of other days will be better understood, and the intentions of those who wrote them will receive more adequate fulfilment.

A remarkable hypothesis respecting logic has received much attention since the commencement of the present century. I refer to the alleged consequences of the imperfection of words as symbols. It is said there are many things which we know exist, but which cannot adequately be expressed by words, and that hence may arise errors in conclusions logically deduced. For, it is argued, operations with mathematical symbols yield accurate results, because the symbols themselves accurately represent the things for which they stand; but though the use of a word as an imperfect symbol in a simple proposition, such as the statement of a fact, may involve no error beyond imperfection, yet where words are used, as in syllogisms, in a process resembling a mathematical operation, the results may be entirely vitiated through their inadequacy, even as the use of impossible quantities in algebraical calculations may lead to doubtful results. It is, however, important to bear in mind that words are ordinarily very exact and sufficient symbols, so that comparatively few logical conclusions are affected by the argument above stated, which does, nevertheless, prove the necessity of a thoughtful use of words, of an examination how far they may or may not be accurate and sufficient representatives of facts and ideas, and forbids in all matters beyond our comprehension attempts to establish a mere verbal deduction as having infallible authority.

It has been my object in the foregoing series of illustrations to show that it is very much the character of truth to assume

a positive rather than a circumscribed form, not therefore becoming doubtful or uncertain, but manifesting itself to be inexhaustible, and ever inviting and leading the understanding onwards. In the earlier days of philosophy man would have been utterly discouraged had he been told even so much as is known to us of the complexity of truth. He employed the simplest kinds of distinctions as helps to knowledge, and some portions of truth disdained not to be reached by their means. Far more comprehensive are the appliances now used both in literature and in science, and further portions of truth are yielded to man, yet always so as may minister to his happiness, but not to his self-complacency; for his knowledge increases not so fast as his perception of the immensity of the unknown. And not fortuitously is it thus, but by a wondrous provision, more excellent than any instance of harmony in nature, being nothing less than the suitability of all that is in nature to the position and employment designed by the Creator for the mind of man.

But I must conclude. However hopefully we may speak and think of the progress of literature and philosophy; however we may admire their increasingly truthful aspect; it must, I think, be evident there are things more needful for us to recognise, than any we may gather in the fields of learning or of science. The amenities of language, the harmonies of nature, are but faint shadows of that wondrous relationship in which man is placed towards his Maker and his fellow man. Can religion, as it is, be accounted for by dialectics? Or shall we, on the principles of intellectual sympathy, and common interest, and natural affection, reason out the probable results, or classify the facts presented, as we contemplate the features of the intercourse subsisting between the members of our race? It cannot be! Systems so founded would be but in mockery of fact. A disturbing element has entered, working alienation, ignorance, crime, and sorrow. The spirit of

man mourns the interruption, and yearns for the renewal of a communion higher than any that can be obtained with nature. To know the remedy of this disturbing evil is the best of all knowledge. If sought, it may be found in HIM WHO SPAKE

AS NEVER MAN SPAKE.

It is most gratifying to myself to feel assured that thoughts such as these will not by you be considered as out of place. Differing as we may, or rather as we must-for no two individuals perceive and think and feel alike—we are, I am persuaded, agreed in a conclusion which I may express in the words of Cowper:

"If all we find possessing earth, sea, air,

Reflect his attributes who placed them there,
Fulfil the purpose, and appear design'd,
Proofs of the wisdom of the all-seeing mind,
'Tis plain the creature, whom he chose to invest
With kingship and dominion o'er the rest,
Received his nobler nature, and was made
Fit for the power in which he stands arrayed,
That first or last, hereafter, if not here,

He, too, might make his Author's wisdom clear."

THIRD ORDINARY MEETING.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, 31st October, 1859.

SOIRÉE,

The Rev. H. H. HIGGINS, M.A., Presiding.

At this Meeting, to which ladies were invited, the entire buildings of the Royal Institution were thrown open, including the various Museums of Natural History, Geology, Ethnology, and Applied Science, together with the Gallery of Ancient Art.

After returning from an inspection of the interesting objects. laid out in the various apartments, microscopes* and photographs; the very rich collection of pictures in the gallery, and the bronzes contributed by Messrs. ELKINGTON and Co.,‡ the Rev. H. H. HIGGINS called on Members to make their annual contributions to our local Flora and Fauna, remarking himself that-It might be considered a point of some interest to determine at what period of the year occurred the height of the floral season in any given district; in other words, when might be found the greatest number of plants in flower. A series of observations continued for several years must be made before this point could be considered as satisfactorily settled, and he was not aware that in our own district much attention had been given to the subject. A tabular record of the culminating season of each of the natural orders would be a valuable contribution to our local flora. As a commencement, a few very imperfect notes were made by himself during the past season, and he would give them in the hope that more and better materials might be thereafter supplied. The notes were as follows:

July 1. A walk of two hours, from Rainhill to Prescot Carrs and Huyton Quarry, afforded seventy-one species. July 5.—A walk of three hours, at Rainhill, eightyfour species.

* Lent by several Members of this, and the Microscopic Societies.

+ Exhibited by Mr. Foard, Church-street, and Messrs. Scott and Ferranti, Sandon-terrace.

The following is a list of the bronzes contributed by Messrs. Elkington, which were much admired; Bust of Aristotle, real bronze; bust of Camilla, real bronze; bust of Diomedes, real bronze; bust of Antinous, real bronze; the first and second Peri, after Westmacott; two groups, "Happy Moments;" two bronze candelabra, with figures of Indians; two cups, "Centaur and Cupid;" one bronze figure, "Hercules Farnese; one bronze figure, "Clapping Fawn;" one bronze figure, 'Apollo;' one large bronze figure, "Venus de Medici;" one bronze group, 66 The Suppliant Mother;" one bronze group, "Youth Playing a Lute;' one bronze tankard, "The Bedford Jug;" a bronze jug, after Cellini; large gilt and oxide of silver shield, "The Battle of the Amazons; " large gilt and oxide of silver shield, "Siege of Troy."

66

July 26. An excursion of eight and a half hours with Mr. Marrat, from Hoylake to Heswell, and thence to Rock Ferry, one hundred and eighty-four species. Caryophyllaceæ, 12; Leguminosa, 14; Rosacea, 11; Umbelliferæ, 12; Compositæ, 30; Scrophulariaceæ, 11; Labiatæ, 10; thirty other orders-together, 84.

August 4.-A walk of four hours with Mr. Marrat, at Crosby, one hundred and nine species, of which seventeen were not found in the preceding excursion.

August 9.-Two hours at Rainhill, seventy-five species. These lists include only flowering exogens in which, at the time of gathering, the anthers were distinctly visible. The species were limited to those recognised as such in Mr. Bentham's "Handbook to the British Flora."

HIPPOPHÆ RHAMNOIDES, L.-Sea buckthorn; near Eastham, where it appeared to have been planted. Subsequently near Calder, on the Dee, apparently wild.

SCIRPUS PALUSTRIS, L.-Variety with the outer bract broader, so as almost to enclose the base of the spike. (S. uniglumis, Bab.) Aintree, 1826; Hale-bank, 1859. H. S. Fisher. Sent to Mr. Babbington, and by him. identified.

TRIGONELLA ORNITHOPODIOIDES, De C.-Bidston-hill, June, 1859; plentiful. H. S. Fisher and F. P. Marrat. Not hitherto recorded as found nearer than the banks of the Dee.

ROSA TOMENTOSA, Sm.-Hedges, Mollington, Cheshire. H. S. Fisher and T. Langford.

VERONICA BUXBAUMII, Ten. -Lane at Green-bank, May, 1859. F. P. Marrat and H. S. Fisher.

LIMOSELLA AQUATICA, L.-Mud banks in a large pit, some distance south of Bromborough. H. S. Fisher.

CARDUUS NUTANS, L.-Field near the Botanic Garden, 1859. Mr. Burschel, Curat. Bot. Gard.