AN ADDRESS, 



$*. 



GENTLEMEN, 



I must apologize for trespassing shortly upon 

 your time, on the opening of the Session, while 

 I express my gratitude for the high honour you 

 conferred upon me at the last annual meeting, by 

 electing me to the office of President of the Insti- 

 tution, for the current year. The confidence 

 reposed in me by your choice, which having been 

 made in my absence was rendered the more 

 complimentary, demands my most cordial ac- 

 knowledgments ; these I beg to offer to the 

 Society in full sincerity, but accompanied with 

 unaffected regret that the choice has not fallen 

 on one better qualified than myself to fill the 

 responsible situation, in which, by your kindness 

 and good opinion, I am now placed. It will be 

 my endeavour to discharge faithfully the duties 

 of the office, according to the best of my ability ; 

 but the only hope I dare venture to indulge with 

 confidence is, that when the time shall arrive for 



B 



