January 1808, Professor Jameson, Doctors Wright, Macknight, Barclay, and Thomson, Colonel Fullerton, Messrs Anderson, Neill, and Walker (now Sir Patrick Walker), held their first meeting, and "resolved to associate themselves into a society for the purpose of promoting the study of natural history; and in honour of the illustrious Werner of Freyberg, to assume the name of the Wernerian Natural History Society." Professor Jameson was elected the" first president; Doctors Wright, Macknight, Barclay, and Thomson, the vice-presidents; Mr Walker, the treasurer; and Mr Neill, the secretary. Honorary and other members were elected,—and among the first of the former, the society has the honour of enumerating the illustrious names of Werner, Sir Joseph Banks, and Kirwan. At the same time, it was resolved that a charter should be applied for; and accordingly, this being done, the Lord Provost and Magistrates of Edinburgh, by virtue of authority vested in them, granted the charter on the 10th February 1808; thus solemnly incorporating the society.
The objects of the Wernerian Natural History Society are sufficiently defined by the resolution which we have extracted. They are simply the general promotion of every branch of natural science; at the same time, it is to be understood, that its fostering care has, from obvious causes, hitherto been chiefly bestowed on mineralogical science. Some, who are more disposed to cavil than to reflect, have objected to the distinctive title assumed by the founders of this society, as narrowing its scope. Werner, it is true, is chiefly, if not exclusively, known in Britain as a distinguished mineralogist. His knowledge, however, extends to every branch of natural science, and is regarded, by those who have possessed the singular advantage of his instruction, as equally remarkable for its accuracy as for its extent.
The honourable compliment paid to his merits, as a man of science, ought to be considered, what it really is, as analogous to similar distinctions bestowed on Linnæus in this country, and on other eminent men on the continent. The name implies no determination blindly to support Werner's peculiar views—as may be shown from the published memoirs, which contain undeniable proofs of freedom of discussion.
The society has now existed upwards of nine years, during which period its records have been graced with the names of all the most distinguished philosophers of Europe and America; and although unaided by the advantages of wealth, it has silently pursued its useful career, and has, both directly and indirectly, contributed most essentially to the well-doing of science. Most of the active members of this society are professional men, whose daily engagements circumscribe the sphere of their scientific utility; yet, notwithstanding this and other disadvantages, they have explored a large portion of country,—have contributed several valuable papers, which have been published, besides others of equal importance, which will, in due season, appear at the bar of the public. While the individual members are thus co-operating in their efforts, the society, as a body, has not been negligent of its more immediate duties. One complete volume of memoirs, containing several very valuable papers, and one half volume, have been already published. The second half of the second volume is also ready for publication. The merits of these volumes are sufficiently known to the scientific world; and as analyses of their contents have been formerly given elsewhere, it is unnecessary for us to enter into such details. We trust, that the part on the eve of appearing, will justify the expectations excited by its predecessors.
The course hitherto adopted by the Wernerian Society has been unquestionably good—though not so brilliant as it might have been, had it possessed some advantages not wholly unknown to others. Upon the whole, however, we are disposed to think that a quiet unobtrusive career, in which solid foundations for future distinction and lasting reputation are laid, is to be preferred to that rapid course which dazzles for a while, but leaves no fixed and permanent impression. When, indeed, we recall the circumstances under which it was first established,—when we recollect the odium which was attached to the very name, we cheerfully offer the tribute so merited by him, to whose intelligence, liberality, and unwearied diligence, we owe all that true spirit of mineralogical
