15 



Institutions in this great, and prosperous, and intelligent 

 county, is a manifestation of this feeling ; the stationary and 

 sometimes retrograding position of such societies as ours is 

 also another, not always to be met or overcome by any amount 

 of zeal, energy, prudence, or common sense evinced by their 

 number or supporters. And this leads me to the expression 

 of a hope that the new constitution in the election of members 

 of the Council of this Society — in the establishment of which 

 I took an humble part — may liave tended, not only to estab- 

 lish and perpetuate concord and good will in the Society, but 

 to confine its attention to its legitimate province, the dis- 

 cussion of subjects of literature and science. As to myself, 

 had it been my lot to have remained among you, I should have 

 held it to be my duty, as I should have felt it to be a pleasure, 

 to devote to your affairs as much time and attention during 

 the past session as I had given in the two former, during 

 which it is not in my recollection that I was ever absent from 

 a meeting either of the Society or its Council. Having 

 received from you, three years ago, the very high and flattering 

 honor of being chosen your President, I thought it no more 

 than my duty, as a tribute of respect owing from me to you, 

 specially to come down from London to thank you in person, 

 to thank you for the honor conferred, — in person to acknow- 

 ledge the support I have ever received from you while in the 

 chair, — and in person to resign that chair to you.'" 



Having taken the chair, Mr. Yates proposed a vote of 

 thanks to the late President, which was carried by acclamation. 

 The Society voted thanks also to the retiring Office-bearers. 

 The recommendation of the Council to discontinue the payment 

 of £21 to the Royal Institution, was formally moved by the 

 Rev. Dr. Hume, seconded by Mr. Fletcher, and carried 

 unanimously. 



Resignations were received from Mr. Lewin, and Mr. 

 Chnntngham, P.G.S., and accepted. 



