THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS,
103
that we were to bear in mind that science will be also indirectly pro-
moted by mutual intercourse and instruction, and, above all, by
fostering and educating the scientific faculty in our younger mem-
bers; never let us forget, or fail to do all in our power to promote,
this desirable work.
Specialism or exclusiveness in study is, to a certain extent, a
matter of necessity in modern science, and we have members, con-
ductors too, remember, who may be fully qualified either as
zoologists, botanists, geologists, or archaeologists, or in the intricacies
of some other favourite pursuit, but who may be very apt to overlook
matters of considerable interest not coming within the range of their
own special study. The ornithologist pays very little attention to
the insects, the Cryptogamic botanist to the flowering plants, the
geologist to the work of primitive man, or the archaeologist to any of
these things, but in our Club all these subjects are included, and in
the report of any given Field Meeting all observations appertaining
thereto should be recorded.
The usefulness of our Field Meetings in many ways has been
abundantly shown during the past year, and to some the above
remarks may appear to be unnecessary, but I am most anxious that
this good work may continue, and, if possible, increase. We are an
association not only for investigating the natural history and antiqui-
ties of the county of Essex, but also for improving and advancing
the study of the various natural sciences amongst our members.
The late Richard Jefferies was a close observer and a facile interpreter
of nature, and Mr. Besant tells us in the "Eulogy," (p. 227), that he
began as Thoreau recommends, by writing down everything that he
saw; by so doing he presently attained a wonderful power of minute
observation. Do not forget Captain Cuttle's favourite maxim, which
appropriately forms the motto of "Notes and Queries"—"When
found, make a note of"—not simply a selfish one in your own note-
book, but allow your fellow-members to participate in your observations.
Ofttimes the opportunity to complete an observation—to confirm or
refute a belief—may occur to others under much more favourable
circumstances than again to yourself, and we should therefore
remember the motto of our "Entomologist" :—
" By mutual confidence and mutual aid
Great deeds are done and great discoveries made."
For the purposes of this address I had collected together a number
of quotations bearing on the problem, "How to Observe," but upon