THE NELSON INSTITUTE.

The procession then reformed, and proceeded, by way of Bridge-street, Trafalgar-street, and Hardystreet, to the site of the new Institute— the foundation stone of which was about to be laid by Dr. Hochstetter :—

Mr. Adams said, ho had been requested to introduce to them Dr. Hochstetter, who had kindly undertaken to lay the foundation stone of the new Institution; and said he would take this opportunity for announcing that Dr. Hochstetter had agreed to remain for another month in this Province [loud cheers]. Mr. Buby then read a statement of the contents of the bottle, which wore almost similar to those deposited in the Government buildings atona ; and the bottle having been duly placed beneath the atone by Dr. Hochstetter, the stone was lowered, and declared to be well and truly laid [tliree cheera]. The Bishop of Nelson then offered up the following prayer :—

"Lord of all Power and Might, who trfc the author and giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name, increase in us troe religion, uourith

us with nil goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Our Lord Jesus Christ. " Almighty and Everlasting God, who dost govern all things iv heaven and earth, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, the only wise God, accept, we beseech thee, this, our sacrifioe of praise and thanksgiving, and receive these, our prayers, wherewith wo now seok for thine approval of this our enterprise, and thy gracious succour to cherish and mature its desired fruits. Thou, Lord, hast fashioned the heart of man ; Thou hast framed his mind for the acquirement of knowledge ; Thou plantest in his breast the desire to know and understand the wisdom of thy works, and the purpose and profit of all that thou hast created. " Grant that this house, O Lord, may serve to all these ends. Grant that the treasures of knowledge may be garnered hero in ample store ; that the records of research and learning mny here be permitted to endure iv a sanctuary of safety for our children's children, yet unborn. Grant that the hearts of each coming generation may seek the study of these records, and exercise their minds in patient acquirement of sound instruction, rather than in vain, \inprofitable knowledge. " Give them a thirst for true wisdom ; teach them to possess what they acquire in true humility, in charity which edifieth, in earnest desire to apply the deepened knowledgeand thy created things to thy glory, iv promoting the welfare of mankind, and displaying tJio benuty, v»afeneaS| and yrigdona of thj decrees qF, creation. "O ! dispose us all, thou Father of Lights, dispose us all who may hither resort for knowledge of whatsoever kind, to seek thy glory and not our own. Make us remember that whosoever thinketh lie knoweth anything, knoweth nothing as he ought to know. " Make us conscious of our many ignorances ; humble us in heart, for our many negligences of means and opportunities of learning. " Above all, teach us to prize the mysteries revealed in the person of thy Beloved Incarnate Son, and the treasures of knowledge hidden in thy revealed word. Give us the seeking heart of childlike learners 5 take evory vail of pride or contempt from our eyes ; and open to us the stores of thy revealed truth, that so, when the heavens and earth that now are have fled away, and tiuio and things of time are 110 more, our eyes may behold and our hearts be given to know the science of things uncreated, the mysteries of the Eternal Presence, the glory of tho creating Godhead, testified by the unnumbered mouths of the redeemed."

Dr. IIOCH3TETTEH, who was received by loud cheering, said : Gentlemen, it is with much pleasure that on this day (the day of the laying of the foundation stone of the Government buildings) I have accepted the honourable invitation of the members of the Nelson Institute, to lay the foundation stone of a handsome edifice dedicated to the noble purpose of advancing art and science, and owing its creation to the praiseworthy efforts of the members of that institution, among whom I am proud to say that I haAe now a place. We see, gentlemen, in the work before us tho evidence of a remarkable epoch in the development of tliis Province, so full of hope for the future. The first difficulties and struggles are now ended. The roof under which the family shelters itself from the elements has been constructed. Field and meadow have been won from the wilderness, and ample provision has been made for all the first and material necessities of existence. And now, when tho fruits of the earth have been cultivated with success, and the wilderness has been made to blossom, it is a praiseworthy and noble idea of the enterprising men who have come here to the uttermost ends of the earth, so far removed from their fatherland to found for themselves a new home ; it is, I say, a tiling full of honour aud credit to them to find that they are now about to cultivate the blossoms and fruits of the highest civilization. Our object to-day, gentlemen, is to lay the foundation stone of a building which shall give shelter to the treasures of literature, and in which shall be placed collections of objects from every department of the kingdom of Nature, wliich shall be at once tho means of assisting the researches of those scientific persons whom you have at present among you, and whom you will yet have ; and which shall throw additional light upon the yet imperfectly known natural products of this island, and offer instruction and information to all who are desirous of studying the works "of nature. May this noble undertaking bear rich and abundant fruit. May the Nelson Institute flourish and prosper to tho honour of its founders. May its foundations be as securely laid as the foundations of your southern alps. [At the conclusion the doctor was received by loud and long continued cheering.]

The procession then again formed and left the ground, proceeding to the Masonic Hall, where a cold collation was provided for those who had taken part in the proceedings. The Superintendent took the choir, and, the tables having been cleared he gave the health of the Queen, which was drunk with all the honours. Mr. J. Gbaham then proposed the health of the Superintendent, aud complimented him on the successful manner in which the day's proceedings had bee) i carried out. His Honotje replied in appropriate terms. The health of Dr. Hochstetter was proposed by Mr. C. Elliott, and was replied to in graceful terms. Mr. O. Cubtis proposed the health of Mr. Haast, who briefly replied in an appropriate speech. The meeting then broke up.

We omitted to mention that the whole arrangements were under the able superintendence of M. Bury, Esq., the architect ; and that Dr. Scaly, and Messrs. Sullivan and J. Graham acted as conductors to the procession.