PROCEEDINGS FOR 1895 LIX 
XVI.—From The Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute, through 
Mr. G. E. Casey, MP. 
During the past year the principal work of the members of the Elgin 
Historical and Scientific Institute has been confined to searches in the 
archives and libraries of the province and the Dominion for information 
relating to the early history of the county. 
They have succeeded in securing the original records of the court of 
quarter sessions established for the district of London on the Ist of 
January in the year 1800. 
This book has not been available to those who have heretofore under- 
taken to write up the history of the district. The first year’s proceedings, 
together with all references to what is now the county of Elgin, up to the 
year 1809, have been included in the history of the county referred to in 
last report. This is now all in print, and will be ready for distribution im 
a few days. Several valuable additions have been made to the library 
and museum. 
The officers of the society for the present year are as follow : 
President—W. B. McKay. 
Vice-President—W. Atkin. 
Secretary—W. H. Murch. 
Curator—J. W. Stewart. 
Treasurer—J. A. Bell. 
Editor—C. O. Ermatinger. 
oS 

XVII—From The American Folk-Lore Society, Montreal Branch, 
through PROFESSOR PENHALLOW. 
At the time this society was founded, an effort was made to bring 
together all students of folk-lore wherever they might be found within 
the limits of the Dominion, and although the name chosen would seem to 
jndicate that the society is of a strictly local nature, it has, in fact, 
connections in Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec and other parts of Canada, 
which give it a cosmopolitan character. It is hoped that, in course of 
time, other similar organizations may be developed in our principal 
centres of population. 
The work of the society during the year has progressed satisfactorily, 
and much enthusiasm has been displayed. The membership, which has 
been steadily increasing from the first, now reaches the satisfactory total 
of eighty-seven. Nine meetings in all have been held. At these meetings, 
in addition to a special paper, notes are offered by members and valuable 
discussions are held. These papers, which prove of widest interest, are 
published in the journal of the American Folk-lore Society, to which this 
