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40 CANADIAN GUIDE BOOK. modation for four hundred. It is an elegant building, approaching the Tudor style of Architecture.—The Baptist College is a conspicu ous edifice situated upon the most elevated ground within the south ern part of the city. It can accommodate upwards of forty students with separate bedrooms and studies, besides day-scholars. It was erected at a cost of about £7,500, and was opened in 1846.— Among the Literary Institutions, that of the Natural History Society is particularly worthy of notice. It was founded in 1827 and incor porated in 1832. The building in Little St. James Street contains a Library and Museum. The former comprises a large number of im^ portant works on subjects of Natural History, and the latter a large collection of specimens of Natural objects and works of Art. The mineralogical specimens are of the finest description ; the simple minerals, exclusive of those found in this country, amount to up wards of sixteen hundred. The Botanical Department exhibits a considerable collection of plants not only from Canada, but from the United States and Europe. The collections of Shells, Insects, and Reptiles are very creditable. The Ornithological collection contains nearly all the bird3 found in this part of the world, besides a large number of British birds and those of the Torrid Zone. There is a deficiency of Quadrupeds. The apartments are well worthy of a visit. In connection with the above Institution it is proper to mention that the members have for some winters past been in the habit of delivering a course of weekly Lectures, chiefly on scientific subjects, to which the public had free admission. It is matter of regret that these excellent lectures have not at all been countenanced in the degree to which their important and interesting character has entitled them.—The Mechanics’ Institute, Mercantile Library Association, Shakspcarc Club, and Canadian Institute have contributed essential service to the community by establishing each a weekly course of Lectures during the months of winter. These Lectures, for which the services of our most eminent professional gentlemen are brought into requisition, embrace a great diversity of subjects in literature and science, and expound views on almost every topic that may have engaged the public mind for any length of time. Moreover these Societies have established appropriate Libraries and (except the
