]G2 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



introducing the female element into this Society. There is a 

 fear that it might destroy its severely scientific character. I 

 do not think the principal Members share those misgivings. 

 In the present day, women are coming to the front in every 

 direction, and 1 do not see why they should not, so long as 

 they do not go to the extreme lengths recommended by the 

 Women's Rights Association. So far as the intellectual 

 position of women is concerned, I do not see why she should 

 not take her position with us. I think we should welcome 

 the advent of ladies into the Society, and I do not think any 

 misfortune is likely to happen as the result, as we all know 

 the particular reason of this influx is on account of the 

 development of Section G — Literature and Art. 1 believe 

 most of the ladies who intend to become Associates are 

 attracted by that Section. As Mr. Way will inform you, we 

 have had in our Shakespeare Society some most gratifying 

 evidence of the advantage of includino- women among our 

 members. We have had several ladies who have read very 

 good papers, and they have from time to time taken part in 

 the discussions. I am sure the effect of their presence at our 

 meetings has been of a beneficial kind. I thank you veiy 

 much for the honour you have done my daughter. 



The Phesident said the Council, at any rate, felt no mis- 

 givings as to the propriety of admitting ladies to the Society. 

 This was evidenced by the fact that they all signed Miss 

 Neild's nomination paper. It was hardly large enough to 

 contain the names of the members of the Council. I certainly 

 agree with Dr. Neild that there is not the slightest reason 

 why ladies should not be most useful members of the Society, 

 not only of the literary, but of the scientific sections. 



The President submitted a long list of names of ladies 

 and gentlemen nominated for membership. 



Dr. Neild, the Hon. Librarian, reported that fifty -four new 

 volumes had been added to the Library since the last meeting. 



Mr. Way said : — I am not prepared with a written report 

 showing the progress of Section G. That is in the hands of 

 the Secretary, But I can report in a general way that our 

 second meeting was even more successful than the first. At 

 our first meeting we had about fifty members present, but at 

 our second meeting we had seventy. I am told that a large 

 number came to the door, and seeing the crowded state of 

 the room, went away in despair. The meeting, as far as I 

 could judge from the expressions of those who were present, 



