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Valedictory Address of the Ketiring President, 



P. Le Neve Foster, Esq., M.A., F.R.M.S. 



{Delivered July 22, 1870.) 



Gentlemen, — Five years ago, the Quekett Microscopical Club 

 consisted of eleven members ; it now numbers upwards of five 

 hundred. At first we were looked upon somewhat coldly by our 

 elder brethren, simply because our aims and objects were not 

 understood, and because we were supposed to be antagonistic to 

 existing institutions. When once, however, it was explained that 

 we were not a revolutionary body, but were purely a band of earnest 

 workers, desirous of extending the benefits of scientific combination 

 to many who, from a variety of causes, could not or did not feel 

 themselves sufficiently advanced in the study of microscopy to join in 

 the gatherings of their elders, all suspicion vanished, and the hand 

 of fellowship was cordially extended to us. Our success arose from 

 two causes : — First, we represented a want ; and, secondly, we 

 were under the guidance of zealous and energetic helmsmen, who 

 not only had the sagacity to lay down the right course for our 

 newly-launched vessel, but kept her head steadily to it. Among 

 these I must specially name our late Honorary Secretary, Mr. By- 

 water, for to his exertions mainly in our early years must our 

 success be attributed. We all know, in these undertakings, how 

 much depends upon the work of one man ; with tact and skill he 

 gathers around him the necessary elements for accomplishing the 

 objects he has at heart. Mr. By water stuck to his post until the 

 Club had become so great a success that he could hand it over in 

 complete working order to his successor. While we regretted the 

 loss of his services as Secretary, we rejoiced to retain him, for 

 counsel and advice, as one of our Vice-Presidents ; and it must be 

 a source of gratification to Mr. Bywater to know that his labours on 

 behalf of the Club have been thoroughly appreciated by all the 

 members. The testimonial which was presented to him on his re- 

 tirement was indeed well earned, and though I could not claim the 

 privilege of presenting it, that duty properly falling to the lot of 



