THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 93 



inevitably engaged himself elsewhere, and he wishes me to convey 

 to you his apologies for his unavoidable absence. My respect for 

 him and for you will lead me to regard it as an agreeable duty 

 to be present at the meetings of the club during his term of office 

 if my health permits ; that I may have the privilege of listening to 

 his observations when he is able to preside, or that I may act as his 

 substitute, in turn with my fellow vice-presidents, in his absence. 

 In this I shall only be following the good example of my excellent 

 predecessor, Dr. Matthews, to whom, separately and especially, 

 I offer my grateful thanks for the kind and able support I have 

 received from him. 



