Address by Dr. R. W. Ells. 201 



courses, hitherto separatety gi ven by each, every winter, and to give one really good 

 course of eight lectures which shall be made as attractive as possible. 



While we are happy to be able to number on the membership rolls of both these 

 societies, many names, distinguished both in literature, science and art, it must be 

 admitted, as indeed is the case unfortunately in many other societies, that the part 

 taken by many of these is not so active as could be desired. 



The advantages posssessed by a city like Ottawa, for be;oming the centre of 

 literary and scientific life and thought for our Dominion, have not, I believe, except 

 by a comparatively few, been fully appreciated. The presence of the Geological 

 Survey is sufficient guarantee to show that a large number of men, proficient in 

 all the branches cf natural science, are available, while in the other Government 

 Departments are many men of world-wide reputation in the various departments of 

 science, literature and art. When to these we add the large staff of highly educated 

 men and women who control our numerous schools, and those who enjoy widely 

 extended fame in the professions of law, medicine and theology, we have a list of 

 names, such as, if their varied talent could be brought into our society, would render 

 that society unsurpassed anywhere in Canada at least. 



For several years a movement has been on foot, tending towards the federation 

 of all the existing societies, in so far at least as that by joint action, some suitable 

 building might be provided which would constitute a home or head quarters for all. 

 So far, I regret to say, the movement has not been successful. This, I feel, is 

 greatly to be regretted, since now we have this unfortunate state of affairs, that some 

 ten or twelve societies, several of which have similar aims, have to hold their regular 

 meetings in as many different places, often under very considerable disadvantages 

 and under conditions which seriously interfere with united action on their part. 



The Literary and Scientific Society is among the oldest of the societies in 

 Ottawa. Founded in 1869 it has always maintained a somewhat prominent place in 

 the affection of the Ottawa public. It now has a very good library ot over 3,000 

 volumes in which nearly all the departments of science and literature are represented, 

 with a well supplied reading room, where the leading periodicals and journals can be 

 found. The membership of the society is now about 300, but this, with its low 

 membership fee of only $2.00 per year for all its privileges, is sufficient to meet the 

 necessary running expenses, only by the exercise ol the greatest economy, even with 

 the addition of the small grant of $400.00 a year which it receives yearly from the 

 Ontario Government. 



The society is also badly handicapped in not being able to secure suitable rooms 

 for its operations, which must be central and easy of access, and also furnish space 

 for our lecture courses. And though efforts have been made year after year to obtain 

 proper permanent quarters, so far we have not succeeded. For some years, through 

 the generosity of one of our life members, the late Col. Allan Gilmour, the funds and 

 corresponding usefulness of the society were greatly aided by his donation of $500.00 



