256 PRESENTATION OF PORTRAIT. 



Stephens, the artist and donor, to unveil a portrait in oils of her 

 father, the late Professor W. J. Stephens, M.A., Oxon., who 

 actively co-operated with Sir William Macleay in the inaugura- 

 tion and development of the Society, from its foundation in 1874, 

 up to the time of his death in 1890. 



Sir Normand MacLaurin gave an outline of Professor Stephens' 

 career, and referred to his long and fruitful connection with 

 higher education in New South Wales, from 1856 for the rest of 

 his life - as Head Master of the Sydney Grammar School for ten 

 years, then as Principal of his own school, The New School, 

 afterwards called Eaglesfield, and from 1882 onwards as Professor 

 of Natural History, or, later, Professor of Geology and Palaeon- 

 tology, in the University of Sydney. Professor Stephens was 

 Fellow and Tutor of his College; he was a sound classical scholar 

 whose tastes and sympathies subsequently broadened and led 

 him to take up the study of natural history, geology and botany 

 particularly; he was an inspiring teacher, and a singularly genial 

 and attractive man. He was one of those who took a very 

 active part in the initiation of the Linnean Society of New South 

 Wales, and one of the most enthusiastic coadjutors of Sir 

 William Macleay in making it a success. All through its earlier 

 years, Professor Stephens held some official position or other, 

 notably the Presidency in 1877 and 1878, and from 1885 to the 

 close of his life. Miss Stephens' gift was at once a tribute to 

 her father's memory, and an offering which she hoped would 

 serve to remind Members of a later generation, of his long and 

 happy association with the Society. 



The President, in accepting the portrait on behalf of the 

 Society, said that, in addition to the reasons given by Sir 

 Normand MacLaurin, there were some others of a special 

 character, why Miss Stephens' gift was a most acceptable one. 

 The Society's early records were destroyed by fire; but from 

 such sources of information as are available, there is reason to 

 think that Prof. Stephens was largely or entirely responsible for 

 the choice of the Society's name. Doubtless the founders hoped 

 that, in the fulness of time, the Society would do for New South 



