PEOCEBDINGS FOE 1884. XXXI 



foundation stone in the year 1800 to its completion in 1807 is traced, and details are given of discus- 

 sions and transactions connected with it ; also of the accommodations provided for the several Gover- 

 nors of the Province, from the time of the arrival of Governor Cornwallis, who held a Council at 

 Halifax on October 15th, 1749, down to the year 1873, when the present building h?.d nearly fallen a 

 sacrifice to the spirit of trade by a proposal to sell it to a company to be converted into a hotel. 

 From its first occupation in 1805, to the date of confederation in 1867, thirteen governors had 

 lived in the house, some of whom have been statesmen of mark, others successful soldiers, while 

 several have performed important duties in other parts of the empire. Four in succession left the 

 post of Governor of Nova Scotia to become Governors-General of Canada. 



During the session 1883-84, just closed, the following papers have been read at the Society's 

 meetings, and will be published in the fourth volume of Reports and Collections : — ■ 



1. On the Province Building, Halifa.x, by His Honor Lieut.-Governor Archibald, C.M.G. 



2. Early Eeminiscences of Halifax: an old document, communicated by Thomas B. Aikins, D.C.L. 



3. The Stone Age of the Mic-Macs, by Eev. Dr. Patterson. 



4. Newfoundland, jjast, present, and future. 



5. Early Years of the Life of Sir John Wentworth, by Hon. Adams G. Archibald, C.M.G. 



6. Origin of the Names of the Streets of Halifax, by Eev. Geoi-ge Hill, D.C.L. 



7. Visits of Literary Men to Nova Scotia, by Peter Lynch, Esq. 



8. A Tour with General Campbell in 1785, along the Coast of Nova Scotia, by Lieut. Booth. 



9. Ships of War wrecked on the Coast of Nova Scotia, by S. Macdonald, F.G.S. 



During the past year, twenty new members have been elected. There having been no deaths 

 or resignations, the membership stands as follows : — 



Number of members, 1882-83 105. 



" " " 1883-84 125. 



The members have had the satisfaction of seeing added to the Library the first portly volume of 

 the Transactions of the Eoyal Society of C!anada, which they regard as an earnest of the valuable 

 results in Literature, History, and Science, which the establishment of the Royal Society is destined 

 to accomplish for this rapidly-growing Dominion. 



Miscellaneous Business. 



Dr. Hart Merriam, Secretary of the Ornithologists' Union of New Yoi'k, on the invitation of 

 the President, then addressed the meeting, showing the objects of the Union and the valuable work 

 it is performing on this continent. 



The Honorary Secretary then read letters from Dr. Goldwin Smith :ind Judge Routhier, regret- 

 ting their unavoidable absence. 



On the motion of Mr. G. Stewart, jun., seconded by Colonel Denison, a Committee was again 

 appointed to consider the question of Copyright, in accordance with the recommendation of Section 

 II, made at the meeting of 1883,— said committee consisting of Principal Grant, M. Faucher de 

 St. Maurice, Professor Cherriman, Di-. Bell and Di\ Chauveau. 



Professor Johnson made the following Report from the Committee appointed at the previous 

 meeting to inquire into the Forms of Aid and Encouragement given in other countries to young men 

 deemed qualified and desirous to engage in Original Literarj' and Scientific "Work, and to suggest the 

 best means of providing similar aid and encouragement to young men in Canada : — 



" The Committee beg to report that, partly in consequence of the regretted death of the Con- 

 vener, the late Dr. Todd, they have been unable, as yet, to collect a sufficient amount of information 

 to lay before the Society. They i-ecommend that the Committee he continued, and report at the 



meeting of next year. 



" A. Johnson, for Committee," 

 May, 1884. 



