VIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Marquess of Lome formally founded the society. Complaints are made 

 from time to time that the date is not convenient to all members, but it 

 is well to remember that it was chosen after full inquirj'into the opinions 

 of membei-s generally. The large majority of answei-s were in favour of 

 a meeting from the 20th to the 26th of Ma}'. Looking over the returns 

 of attendance for the fourteen j^eih-s the society has been in operation, it 

 will be found to be about 4-1 on the avei-age. Of this number 18 repre- 

 sent the Ottawa residents and 2b' those living elsewhere. In other words, 

 the average attendance has been always one-half of the total number of 

 fellows — a verj' good attendance compared with similar societies in other 

 countries, even where the distances are not so great as in Canada. In 

 fact, the attendance is better than that of the National Academy of 

 Sciences, the American Antiquarian Society, and the American Historical 

 Association. All the members of the society are engaged in important 

 professional labours, and it would be probably impossible to tind any 

 time when all could assemble here except during the midsummer holi- 

 day's, and that would mean a sacrifice on the part of the majority which 

 could not be expected of them. In view, however, of settling the question 

 once more, and inducing possibly a larger attendance of members who 

 live at a distance from Ottawa, the council propose to instruct the 

 Honorar}- Secretary to send out new circulai-s to obtain the opinions of 

 all the members, who now number over ninety. Such a circular, how- 

 ever, will not be necessary for the next twelve months, as the society 

 meets next year at Halifax, on the 21st of June, with a special object. 



9. Decease op Members. 



Since the society last assembled in this city a year ago, three vacan- 

 cies have been caused in its ranks b}' death. The Eeverend Dr. William- 

 son was a man of many years, and unable to take any active part in the 

 work of the society. He was a scholar of varied accomplishments. In 

 his busy and useful life he made few contributions to scientific or other 

 literature, and it is in the annals of Queen's University, with which he 

 was connected for over half a centur}', that his lifcs work must be sought 

 and his best monument found. 



The late Sir John Schultz, who filled the high position of lieutenant- 

 governor of Manitoba until a few months before his death, was, like Dr. 

 Williamson, one of the members elected by the society within vt'vy recent 

 j-ears, but he contributed to its Transactions and otherwise took a deep 

 interest in its scientific and historic investigations. Ever since his con- 

 nection with the Northwest he looked closely into the history and habits 

 of the Indian races — especially of the Innuits — and otherwise identified 

 himself with the archa-ology and ethnology of Canada. In the records 

 of that great region his name is written in imperishable letters as that of 

 a loyal subject of the Queen and a firm believer in the strength of British 

 institutions. 



