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52
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its Properties'1 (Garrett) ; "On the Infinite Variety which characterizes
the Modern World" (Garrett) ; "On the Advantages of History over Fiction
in the Communication of Truth" (R. Barr) ; "Botany" (Dr Sharland) ;
"Astronomy - the Solar System" (Garrett) ;
and others , many of which were
illustrated by diagrams , drawings and even inventions by Mo ss . 5 The
Courier, on Novemb er 18, 1836, reporting on the activities of the Society
for the past year, quoted Moss in his lecture on "Vision" , in which he
conveyed the enthusiasm and devotion felt by the members .
. . .. finally it must afford infinite gratification to every lover
of his species , for it is truly a pleasing and an animated
reflection, that in a country so remote from civi lized Europe ,
where but a few, very few years since, existed one vast wi lderness,
the silence of which was broken only by the harsh scream of the
forest birds - that on such a region , humanity and the peaceful
arts should have superseded desolation and barbarism . Perhaps
on the place where the painted savage in his nightly orgies ,
amidst the blackened and scorched ·trunks of the gigantic
Eucalyptus , made desolation appear doub ly desolate - Nay perchance
on the very spot where infanticide and cannib alism rendered the
face of nature hideous - have we erected an altar to science and
from nature led to nature 's God. It is with no little
gratification then and I trust an excusab le pride, that those
who have assisted in this good work may look around and with no
ordinary emotions , survey the fabric they have erected - a
building not made with hands , but one whose foundations are
based in intellect and whose pillars are upreared and supported
by the profound truths of philosophy.
On March 1, 1837, the Society felt confident enough of success to request
Franklin 's patronage which was granted ten days later. Over the years ,
quite a large library of books was gathered together and housed in the
small room adjoining the Police Station, a concession allowed by the
Government.
When Hall arrived in Bothwe ll, the lectures for the 1839 season
were already in progres?.
The introductory lecture given by Garrett on
April 19 was followed four days later by one on "Animal Phys iology" given
by the previous doctor, Grant ;
on May 1 Moss began a series on the "Laws
that govern the Material World" which was fol lowed by "The Principles of
Education" delivered by T. Wilkinson, formerly the Postmaster and then in
charge of the Bothwell Board School ;
in July and August Garrett presented
a further series on astronomy, and Moss a lecture on pneumatics . Others ,
too, proffered their services .
Like his medical predecessors , Sharland
and Grant , Hal l also became one of the Society 's lecturers, choosing as
5 Courier, May 10, 1839
August 9, 1839.