PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 5 



Mr. King was an Original Member of the Societ}^ and joined 

 in 1874. He resigned in 1877; but again renewed his Member- 

 ship in 1880. For six years (1881-86) he was a Member of the 

 Council, and used his best endeavours to forward the interests 

 of the Societ}^ He was present at the dedication of this Hall 

 in October, 1885, and his portrait appears in the group photo- 

 graphed upon the occasion of the unveiling of the bust of Sir 

 William Macleay in June, 1889. But during recent years his 

 increasing age deprived him of the pleasure of continuing an 

 active interest in the Society's work. 



Mr. King's knowledge of the history of settlement in Australia, 

 his inheritance of family documents and relics of the greatest 

 interest, and his own long connection with public and other 

 affairs made him a very interesting personage. But to his other 

 qualifications there was superadded an interest in Science, which 

 was kindled by his intercourse with Darwin, and stimulated by 

 the development of that illustrious naturalist's scientific work. 

 On one occasion Mr. King thus referred to his reminiscences of 

 Darwin : — 



" As a young man I had the honour of serving in the Royal 

 Navy under Admiral Fitzroy .... and whilst so serving 

 I was the cabin mate of the great man who has recently passed 

 away, and of whose memory I cherish the very highest regard. 

 When I had the honour of knowing Mr. Darwin we were both 

 young men, though he was my senior by several 3'ears. 

 With Mr. Darwin I have ranged amongst the orange groves of 

 Bahia and Botafogo; I have explored the coral rocks of the 

 Abrolhos and the South Pacific; I have been tossed and tumbled 

 about on the fearful tempestuous seas off Cape Horn — have 

 trod the glaciers in the Straits of Magellan — have ridden amongst 

 the wild Patagonians, and fished in his company with the lowest 

 order of created man, the wretched inhabitants of Terra del 

 Fuego. In company with Mr. Darwin I have shot the deer, the 

 cavy, and the ostrich on the plains of the Pampas, witnessing 

 the wonderful skill of the Gauchos in the use of the bolas and 



