SECTION IL. 1882. peter] Trans. Roy. Soc. CANADA. 
Inaugural Address. 
By DANIEL WursON, LLD. F.R.S.E., President of University College, Toronto. 
(Read May 25, 1882.) 
We meet to-day to organize a fellowship for the study and encouragement of science 
and letters in our young Dominion; and I find the duty imposed on me of delivering the 
opening address for this section of our newly constituted Canadian Royal Society, to which 
have been apportioned not only History, Archeology, and other allied subjects, but 
also the department of English Literature. I should, for many reasons, have preferred to 
deal with a less comprehensive range of subjects; and—with all deference to those by 
whom the details of our organization have thus far been determined,—I cannot avoid 
expressing here at the outset my regret at the assignment to this section of what to some 
may appear to be its preeminent characteristic. Under the peculiar circumstances which 
give so distinctive a character to Canadian history, there is a fitness which all must cor- 
dially recognize in the organization of the department of French Literature into a separate 
section. On that section will devolve the critical estimate of a literature and philology 
replete with interest, and presenting aspects peculiarly our own. But in no such sense 
can we recognize a Canadian English Literature. English Literature is for us the literature 
not only of the Mother Country; of the tongue of Shakespeare, Milton, Bacon, Locke, Addi- 
son, and all who, following Chaucer, have drank at the same old “well of English unde- 
filed ;” but it is the literature of all the English-speaking people throughout the world. 
Whatever Canadians can worthily contribute to that will need no fostering aid to win 
for it fit and ample audience. 
When, indeed, I accepted the office thus bestowed on me at the inception of 
the Royal Society of Canada, it was with the full anticipation that, so far at least as Eng- 
lish Literature is concerned, any reference to it would have devolved on the distinguished 
scholar whose name is associated with my own as a president of this section, and who is 
so much better fitted than myself to be the representative, not only of English Literature, 
but of History also. Let me further add—in no carping spirit, but with a sincere desire 
for the permanent welfare of this society,—that I cannot look otherwise than with regret 
on arrangements which appropriate to separate sections what it must be presumed means 
on the one hand French, and on the other English History and Archeology. If, as I pre- 
sume, Canadian history is to have the foremost claim on our attention, then it will be 
found impossible for the English section to ignore the all-important period of French 
Canadian history ; and if, as is to be anticipated, a more comprehensive range of study and 
research is aimed at, we shall have additional reason to regret the division which must 
deprive the members of this section of the co-operation of those whose efficient aid we 
would so heartily welcome. JI must further add that I know of no reason which can war- 
rant the organization of distinct French and English sections of History and Archeology, 
Sec. II., 1882, 1 
