XLII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
The labours of three committees appointed at the beginning of the 
year have also been a new and important feature of our work. These 
are :— 
(1) The Committee organized to collect memoirs of old inhabitants 
in and about the city of Ottawa, Mrs. Robt. Ells, convener. Many old 
residents were interviewed, and much valuable data collected. As an 
indication of what this Committee has been accomplishing, two valuable 
papers were presented, one embodying an interview with an old French 
resident, Mr. Francois Desloges; the other, the personal recollections 
of Mr. Geo. Blyth. Each member has been allotted a particular line of 
investigation, as, for instance, early schools, the topography of Bytown, 
etc., etce., which she will pursue during the next year, instead of, as 
heretofore, seeking miscellaneous information. 
(2) The Committee to form scrap-books and to collect old litera- 
ture, pamphlets, etc., Miss Amy Horsey, convener. The work is con- 
ducted in three departments, each commanding a large scrap-book. 
The development of Ottawa City, local events, and general events, have 
proved good working headings. The object is not only to preserve 
records of the past, but equally those of the present, which will be 
valuable in the future. 
(3) The Committee to gather historical sketches of the various 
philanthropic and charitable institutions of the city, Mrs. J. Lorn 
McDougall, convener. This work will be continued during the coming 
year until a comprehensive collection is made. 
As to our prospects for the future, let me quote a paragraph from 
a report presented by a committee appointed to prepare some suggestions 
as to the work of another year. This and a number of other equally 
important recommendations will be discussed fully at the opening 
meeting after the holidays. g 
“That occasional papers be read which may be upon subjects of a 
general character, not altogether inseparable from the history of our 
country, but of interest to us as a nation—such as comparative studies 
of social conditions, sketches of different phases of life, which need not 
necessarily be of remote date, papers upon the international relations 
of Canada; in fact, upon any subject which may directly or indirectly 
affect Canada, or in which Canadians are or should be interested.” 
If we may judge by the interest and enthusiasm manifested, there 
is every reason to look forward to the accomplishment of better and 
broader work during the coming year. 
