PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 



In accordance with the usual custom, it devolves upon me, as Pre- 

 sident of the Royal Society, to deliver the Annual Address. 



For the first few years after the foundation of this Society, the 

 Presidential Addresses were mainly devoted to the duties and aims of 

 the organization, and to pointing out how the members might perform 

 useful services to science and literature. Of late years it has become 

 customary for the President to deliver an address on gome particular 

 subject in reference to which he may have acquired special informa- 

 tion, or to which he may have given special study and research. 



T have been a member of this Society from its foundation, and 

 during the twenty-two years which have since elapsed, I have been the 

 only soldier in its ranks. The justification for my appointment to the 

 English literature section being the fact that I had written books of a 

 military and historical character. I have chosen, therefore, a subject 

 connected with my own line of thought, and will refer briefly to the 

 United Empire Loyalists of the Revolution, and to the influence which 

 they have exerted upon the history of this continent. 



As a descendant of one of those Loyalists who landed in this place 

 in May, 1783, — one of those who afterwards found their way into Upper 

 Canada, — it will be appropriate and interesting for me, coming here 

 among you, the descendants of those who remained in New Brunswick, 

 to point out how loyally those who went to Upper Canada stood by 

 the principles for which our common ancestors fought so strenuously, 

 and for which they made such extraordinary and patriotic sacrifices. 



The Loyalists, after being beaten in their struggle for the unity 

 of the Empire, were driven out of the revolted colonies, and found 

 their way to various portions of the British dominions. Many came to 

 this province and to Nova Scotia, while many also migrated to Upper 

 Canada, either directly, or by way of these provinces. They plunged 

 into an almost unbroken wilderness, and for many years they had a 

 hard and constant struggle against the forces of nature, and often 

 against hunger and privations of all kinds. Mr, Leroy Hooker has 

 well described their difficulties: 



•' They looked their last and got them out 

 Into the wilderness, 

 The stern old wilderness. 

 All dark and rude 



