316 



months ago that I possessed any sufficient qualifications for the office which 

 you have now called on me to fill. Even now, at this last moment, when a hint 

 of my unfitness— tliough from my own mouth — would seem to stultify your 

 decision, which I certainly shall not risk, I entreat you to bi'lieve in the reality 

 of my diffidence in my power to discharge the duties of this office with real 

 efficiency. And this diffidence arises very largely from my sense of the great 

 ability which has been displayed by my predecessors in this chair, together 

 with a consciousness that I am neither a profound histologist nor an accom- 

 plished anatomist, as most of them have been, but simply a microseopist, 

 though my profession has, of course, demanded of me some knowledge of both 

 those sciences. Many now present are aware that I have devoted myself largely, 

 or at least earnestly, to the improvement of the microscope and its manipula- 

 tions, for I am well aware, gentlemen, that, in the words of a humorous and 

 witty old friend whom I see before me, some very profound (and questionable) 

 discoveries have been made by the aid of " a bad microscope and a lively 

 imagination." It is from error arising in these cases that I have laboured to 

 free our art. Amidst my— as it now seems— self-inflicted discouragements, I 

 have taken courage from the following reflections : — First, that you have always 

 shown yourselves indulgent to, and sympathetic with, those who have exerted 

 themselves honestly to serve you ; next, in that, after much thought on the 

 duties of your chairman, I have come to the conclusion that he is not in that 

 place to display his own acquirements, or to air his own knowledge, but to dis- 

 charge the office of one of those bodies in nature, which, though of but minor 

 importance in themselves, are yet capable of eff'ecting great changes in other 

 bodies— I mean the ferments. This function it is, I think, the proper office of 

 your chairman to discharge, whether he does it by judicious timely observations 

 or by pertinent inquiries, or even, now ai?d then, by well considered papers; 

 and I may here say that if these last be needed they will not be wanting. 

 Gentlemen, I spoke but now of the ability of my predecessors, which I am 

 thankful, both for myself and you, thus publicly to acknowledge ; but whatever 

 their ability, however profound their acquirements, there is one point in which 

 I will never yield to them, and that is in my ardent desire and earnest intention 

 to do all in my power to promote the objects and further the interests of this 

 society. I have said enough — I fear even too much- of myself. I now am 

 silent, that I may in future speak -with the more efi'ect of the labours and the 

 merits of others. 



Mr. S. J. Mclntire proposed a vote of thanks to their late President, Dr. 

 Braithwaite, for the zeal, learning, usefulness, and courtesy displayed to every 

 member of the Club during his period of office 



The proposal was seconded by Mr. J. G, Waller, and carried unanimously. 



It was proposed by Mr. T. C. White, and seconded by Dr. Matthews, that the 

 address which the late President had read should be printed and circulated. 



Put and carried unanimously. 



Mr. T. C. White proposed that a cordial vote of thanks be presented to the 

 officer.? and authorities of University College for their continued kindness and 

 generous courtesy in allowing the meetings of the Club to be held in that 

 building. 



This motion having been seconded by Dr. Braithwaite, was carried by ac- 

 clamation. 



A vote of thanks to the Scrutineers for the careful and efficient manner in 

 which they had presided over the ballot was proposed by Mr. Johnson, seconded 

 by Mr. Marks, and carried unanimously. 



