Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 1.djvu/7

 Rh their observations, and to place these collections of facts in a repository, easily accessible to themselves and to others, the progress of Geology would be materially accelerated. In offering to be contributors to and guardians of so valuable a deposit, the Members of the Society, without any partiality towards their own claims to the notice and encouragement of their countrymen, felt satisfied, that there was a peculiar propriety in making the metropolis of the empire the centre of such an institution, on account of the many mineralogical cabinets that it contains, as well as of the superior opportunities for mutual intercourse, which it presents to persons engaged in geological pursuits; and they have experienced sincere gratification in observing, that even their most sanguine expectations have been greatly exceeded by the early and progressive advancement of the Institution, towards the accomplishment of the objects which it had in view.

By the liberality of different individuals a considerable collection has already been formed, which comprises not only many of the mineral productions of the British islands, but likewise several series of foreign rocks; and arrangements have fortunately been made, by which the Society's cabinet will receive still more important additions. There is therefore reason to think, that it will at no distant period be sufficiently extensive to illustrate the mineral history of this country, and at the same time to afford great facilities to persons desirous of becoming acquainted with the elements of geological science.

The attention of the Society has likewise been directed to the highly useful instruction, which mineralogical maps, plans, and