LVIII EOYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 



XVIII. — From The Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal, through Mr, Justice Baby, 



Since our last report the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal has been in a fairly- 

 prosperous condition, which has enabled it to carry on with success the works for which it has 

 laboured since its inception. The publication of its journal, 'The Antiquarian,' having been resumed, 

 notwithstanding the withdrawal by the Quebec Government of the very small subsidy granted, $100, 

 the society has thus been enabled to better further the intentions of its founders. By and through 

 this quarterly magazine, now in its fourteenth volume, many valuable documents have been exhumed, 

 as it were, which, with proper commentaries, have sometimes thrown considerable new light on what 

 hitherto had been rather difficult for the student to explain, historically speaking. 



Among the divers subjects which have particularly engaged oui- attention and consideratipn I 

 may be allowed to state the following : 



Through our repeated efforts the public has been seized with a project by which will be preserved 

 and continued in Montreal the souvenirs of its early history — a project which is on the eve of being 

 realized, I am happy to say. Thus, with the active co-operation of several generous citizens, the 

 society has succeeded in linding the means of perpetuating, as done in many cities of both the old and 

 new worlds, the principal events of the old past, as well as the names of the men and heroes who took 

 an active part therein ; also in indicating the landmarks, which unfortunately are so fast disappearing 

 from our midst. In the course of a few months, if not weeks, a number of marble tablets will have 

 been placed where long and active reseai-ches indicate they should be put up for the proper informa- 

 tion of all those who take an interest in historical matters, and pai-ticularly so for the enlightened 

 stranger who visits our fair city. 



The project of preserving from certain destruction that historical building called the ''Château de 

 Eamezay " also originated with us, and we are most grateful to your society for the considerable interest 

 you have manifested in that direction, as appears by the valuable report made by Mr. Bourinot, your 

 distinguished secretary, at the opening of this your annual meeting. No doubt this expression on your 

 part in favour of the project will have its proper weight in the quarters where it is the most needed. 



The celebration of the 250th anniversary of the foundation of Montreal, next year, has also been 

 taken up by our members, and as far back as last year resolutions were passed in view of furthering 

 the same as much as lay in them in connection with the citizens of all creeds and nationalities of Ville 

 Marie, as named by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, its founder. A monument to this distinguished 



nian the representative of Messrs. Olior and de la Dauversière — it has been resolved to erect on this 



auspicious occasion on the Place d'Armes, and the society has taken such steps as it could to ensure 

 to this so long delayed token of respect and gratitude the proper historical character it should bear. 



It will be seen, Mr. President, from the above that we have not remained idle, and that all and 

 one the members of this society have done everything in their power to promote and foster the taste 

 for historical researches and studies in the Canadian dominion, and acted, at the same time, undoubt- 

 edly the part of good citizens, which we claim. 



In conclusion, let me state that if, on the one hand, our members have increased in numbers, on 

 the other we have suffered, by the hand of death, some very heavy losses ; among others, one of our 

 most distinguished presidents, who was also at one time your worthy predecessor in this chair. I 

 have named the Hon. Mr. Chauveau, whose eulogium need not be made here, I am certain. 



XIX. — Prom The Natural History Society of British Columbia, through Dr. C. M. Newcombe. 



The Natural History Society of British Columbia was founded in April, 1800, with headquarters 

 at the Provincial Museum, Victoria, with the object of studying the natural history of British Colum- 

 bia and of rendering independent aid to the Provincial Museum. 



