PROCEEDINGS FOR 1883. XLIX, 
These details present to our notice a new development of that complex organism, the British Con- 
stitution; which, with a marvellous flexibility, is ever putting forth new powers, in fresh directions ; 
exhibiting a readiness of adaptation to the growth of the national life, which affords unmistakeable 
evidence of its inherent vitality. It is well known to students of political history, that one result of 
of the establishment of popular government has been to oblige the Ministers of the Crown to take 
the initiative in preparing and submitting for the sanction of Parliament whatever measures may be 
required by the public interest, whether it be to improve our administrative or social system ; to 
amend the operation of existing laws, to aid the progress of an advancing civilization, or to encourage 
the application of scientific truths to practical and beneficial ends, Ministers are expected, not only to 
forward sound legislation in these directions, but to resist and expose every crude, imperfect, or other- 
wise objectionable notion of this description which may be propounded by private members, 
It is impossible that any Ministers, however able or enlightened, can be invariably competent to 
deal intelligently with questions which form no part of an ordinary political education. Neither can 
they always command, in the ranks of the civil service, capable assistance upon such topics. Realizing 
this deficiency, the Imperial Government have gladly availed themselves of the co-operation of the 
Royal Society of London, to assist in the disposal of matters requiring a special knowledge of art or 
science, in regard to which executive or parliamentary interposition may be necessary. In such cases 
it has been of inestimable public advantage that the Executive Government could have recourse to the 
advice and assistance of a body occupying the impartial position of the Royal Society, and could 
freely avail themselves of their services,—not merely as individuals, but with the acknowledged weight 
and responsibility attaching to them in their corporate capacity. These considerations have largely 
influenced the conduct of public affairs in the Mother Country, of late years; as the facts above 
narrated will show. 
The application of this principle to the Royal Society of Canada is sufficiently obvious to need no 
further comment, 
I should, indeed, be reluctant to assert, either of the Federal or Provincial Governments of 
Canada, that they had failed to appreciate the claims of art, literature, or science, in their efforts to 
promote the public good. The liberal appropriations by the Dominion and local parliaments, for 
educational and scientific purposes, are sufficient evidence to the contrary. But hitherto the State in 
Canada has not possessed the necessary machinery to aid in the satisfactory disposal of such ques- 
tions. This deficiency no longer exists. 
Tt is true that in other parts of the empire, associations similar to our own are found, which limit 
their operations to the primary duty of cultivating a taste for knowledge, and publishing the results 
of their research. It is equally true that, amongst all the British colonies, New South Wales, as yet, 
affords the solitary example of a Royal Society, in active communication with the local Executive, 
furthering—by the joint co-operation of Crown and Parliament with the official representatives of 
literary and scientific culture—the intellectual advancement of the people. But this laudable and 
patriotic endeavour is, as we have seen, in perfect accordance with the latest development of consti- 
tutional usage in the Mother Country; and it points to a new departure in the energy of political life, 
and the activities of an enlightened community, wherein we may hope that, in due season, the Royal 
Society of Canada may be privileged to share, 
The thanks of the Society were unanimously tendered to Dr, Todd for his valuable paper. 
The President communicated to the meeting the following telegrams that had just been received: 
Paris, May 22. 
L’Association Française pour l’Avancement des Sciences adresse à la Societé Royale, réunie en 
congrès, des vœux de prospérité. 
Passy, Président. 
Pro. 1883, G. 
