XLVI. ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 
empire with a like intent and by a similar agency. These examples may be helpful in suggesting 
what is, or is not, within our proper competency. 
In the old colony of Jamaica, about a quarter of a century ago, a “Royal Society of Arts,” for 
the promotion of science, art and commerce in the island, was incorporated by the legislature in 
conjunction with an Agricultural Society, which had existed for some years previous. The united 
associations exhibited signs of activity so long as their original promoters remained, but afterwards 
they languished and became effete. Recently, however, the Government, into whose hands the 
scientific and industrial collections accumulated by the societies had fallen, determined, if possible, 
to infuse new energy into the association. Accordingly, in 1879, a law was passed, placing the 
institution under the control of an energetic Board of Governors, with powers sufficient to carry out 
the original intent of the founders; and with the hope that by the maintenance and extension of the 
Museum of Natural History, and the perfecting of collections previously gathered to illustrate the 
industries of Jamaica, much public advantage would hereafter ensue. The depression of trade, and 
the occurrence of other public misfortunes in Jamaica, have retarded the welfare of the island; but 
there are tokens of improvement amongst the inhabitants, in various directions, sufficient to justify 
the local authorities in reviving an interest in The Royal Society of Arts.” And it may be antici- 
pated that, with the return of prosperity to the West Indies, a prospect in which the merchants of 
Canada are much concerned, the Royal Society of Jamaica will enter upon a career of activity and 
usefulness. 
If we turn to the southern hemisphere, we find that in New South Wales,—the mother colony of 
the Australias, and the richest as well as the oldest of the Australian group,—a Royal Society, which 
had already been in active operation for several years, was in 1881 incorporated by the local 

parliament “for the encouragement of studies and inyestigations in science, art, literature and 
philosophy.” The Governor of the colony was appointed honorary President of the Association, and 
several prominent officials—such as the Government Astronomer, the Director of the Botanic 
Gardens, the Government Geologist, the Deputy-Master of the branch Royal Mint at Sydney,—were 
enrolled amongst its office-bearers and members. Under such favourable auspices the Royal Society 
of New South Wales is not likely to be behindhand in contributing to the intellectual advancement 
of that great and flourishing dependency. Already there are about one hundred literary and 
scientific institutes in the colony (or “one to every 150 adult males of the population”’), and in the 
numerous progressive associations which have been formed therein, to encourage the study of practical 

science, or to stimulate the laudable efforts of the people for self-improyement, the Royal Society 
occupies the foremost rank, The Parliament of New South Wales has done much to assist its intel- 
lectual development. It has established a National Gallery of Fine Arts,—which, together with a 
Free Public Library, is placed under the supervision of the Minister for Public Instruction. It has 
liberally patronized international exhibitions of Australian products and manufactures. It gives 
systematic aid and encouragement to literary institutes and schools of art throughout the colony; 
and it has founded public botanical gardens, which are under the control of the Secretary for 
Lands, 
By these efforts, the statesmen of New South Wales have set an example to all the dependencies 
of the British Crown. Their conduct is praiseworthy, and deserving of general imitation, not merely 
because they have sought, by judicious expenditure, to promote vital interests, in addition to those 
which naturally depend upon the bounty of Parliament, but especially because they have given to 
the heads of scientific and literary institutions a recognized place in the public administration, and 
have availed themselves of the co-operation of learned and capable advisers,—who are joined together 
by an independent bond of union, as members of a Royal Society,—to advance the public welfare in 
matters which are distinctly apart from the domain of party politics, and from the ordinary range of 
executive responsibility. This honourable distinction conferred upon a Royal Society is no excep- 
tional peculiarity of Australian Government, but is in exact accordance with British precedent, 
