^31 



presumed it was somehow left in the cab. He then proceeded to deliver an 

 extemporaneous address, which was of a practical character, dealing chiefly 

 with the specific objects of the Club, and suggesting to the members the 

 means by which they might be realised in a higher degree than hitherto. 



Dr. Horatio Whittell said he had great pleasure in proposing a vote of 

 thanks to the President — first of all for having prepared an elaborate paper 

 which he had intended to read to them, and next for having lost it, and 

 thirdly for having delivered to them one of the best extempore addresses 

 which had ever been delivered in that room. He had referred in it to the 

 value of the Quekett Club, to the work it had done already, and to the 

 method which he should like its members to pursue in future. He was 

 himself disposed to think that the written address could not have been 

 more valuable, even supposing it had not been lost. Eemarks such as they 

 had just listened to, coming from a gentleman like the President, with his 

 great knowledge and experience, and who had spent so many years in 

 coming there and giving to the Club his assistance and advice, could hardly 

 fail to be most valuable to the members, supposing that they rightly ap- 

 plied them. He could not, however, help feeling that he ought to take ex- 

 ception to one remark — that they came together there for the purpose of 

 amusing one another, and he was sure that in saying this he should have the 

 sympathy of his fellow-members. Living for the greater part of his life 

 at the other side of the world, and being far away from the centres of 

 scientific investigation he had looked with longing eyes to the old country 

 and read about what was going on, always hoping that he might some day 

 visit this far-off land and see what they were doing. When at last the 

 opportunity occurred he came, almost as soon as he landed, to the Quekett 

 Club, and having attended nearly the whole of its meetings while he had 

 been in England, he could say that he had not seen one member whom 

 he should be disposed to look upon as coming there simply to be amused. 

 For his own part, he had derived instruction from every meeting ; he had 

 never come into that room without learning something or picking up some 

 wrinkle. Some of those things he hoped to be able to carry back to Aus- 

 tralia with him, and to make them useful there to others who were not so 

 well situated. He had expected a great deal from the Quekett Club ; he 

 was acquainted with its history and poceedings ; but he had no notion until 

 he came and saw for himself what was the extent and value of the work 

 which they were doing ; and, after seeing a good number during his stay, he 

 could only add that he believed the Quekett to be one of the most valuable 

 and best conducted of any of the societies in the world. He should have 

 very soon to leave, but could not sit down without thanking all for the 

 great courtesy received and the amount of information he had gained" 

 He had great pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to their " shepherd" — 

 or whatever else he liked to call himself — for the very admirable address 

 which he had given to them. 



Mr. Waller having seconded the proposition, 



Mr. Ingpen said it was his privilege and pleasure to put this proposal to 

 the meeting, and in doing so he ventured to hope — in spite of what Dr. 



