IS 



Upon the whole, it is conceived that this general restros- 

 pect of the society's proceedings in the course of the last 

 session, furnishes many subjects of encouragement, and some 

 of congratulation. 



In the variety and extent of literary and scientific com- 

 munications, it has surpassed every preceding session. 

 These also have arisen with a regularity and spontaneousness 

 which have greatly abridged the labours of your Council, 

 and afforded abundant materials to excite the ardour and 

 stimulate the research of your members. They feel assured 

 that your society has gathered strength and respectability, 

 and that it continues to realize a large share of those import- 

 ant benefits, for the production of which it was instituted. 

 The number of its friends is undiminished, and it is 

 gradually conciliating the esteem of those who at first 

 doubted its expediency, or imderrated its resources. If 

 it has been deserted by some of its earliest and most san- 

 guine supporters, it is consolatory to reflect that others have 

 stepped forward to its assistance, not less zealous and efficient. 

 If some, on whom it calculated for aid, have forgotten the 

 pledges given in the fervour of their early attachment, others 

 from whom the society had, at least, nothing to hope, have 

 generously united themselves to its interests, and confessed, 

 by their active co-operation, that their fears were unfounded, 

 and that their scepticism has disappeared. The experience 

 of the society fully attests that its prosperity is not depend- 

 ant on the services of those who may accidentally occupy the 

 executive management of its affairs, however essential they 

 may appear, and that it is too firmly established in the best 

 wishes of its members, to be materially affected by occasional 

 desertions. 



Your Council, however, would abstain from the lan- 

 guage of unqualified praise, or immeasured triumph, which 

 would be equally inconsistent with their real sentiments, and 

 inappropriate to the present occasion. They perceive many 

 circumstances in your institution which call for improvement, 



