XXXVI ROYAL SOCIETY OK CANADA 



appreciation come home to me as well as to her with peculiar significance. 

 I feel quite sure, gentlemen, that you will never have to alter or even to 

 modify your expressions of confidence and approval in regard to those 

 movements which Lady Aberdeen has been associated in this country. 

 (Applause.) I believe these movements are being placed cm a firm and 

 sure foundation and that they will go on and prosper. I need hardly 

 say that I allude to the National Council of Women, a society which has 

 confcTred among many others this benefit that it has brought together 

 workers for the public welfare not only different in origin and race, but 

 also in politics and opinions in a manner in which they have never been 

 brought before. I would also allude to the Victorian Order of Nurses, 

 which was founded as a national memorial of the Queen's diamond jubi- 

 lee, and which has Her Majesty's special personal sanction and approval. 

 This is an undertaking still in its infancy, but one as of the future of 

 which I feel the utmost confidence. Every day shows how it is being 

 appreciated and how it meets a real need. 



''While speaking of the position and alluding to the history of the 

 Royal Society during the past five years, I cannot help wishing to make 

 a passing reference to an incident of interest to all the members of that 

 body, namely, the fact th^at some of them have received marks of dis- 

 tinction at the hands of the Queen. (Applause.). We may be sure that 

 while members of these societies have occasion to distinguish themselves 

 in other ways, their services to the Eoyal Society h'ave certainly formed 

 no small element in the case. Naturally, I refer to the honour conferred 

 upon one whose name more than that of any other, has been identified 

 with the work and promotion of this society. Sir John Bourinot. It is 

 most essential for tlie life and growth of every young country that it 

 should possess writers and scholars and leaders of thought who will guide 

 tlic people to interest themselves in wider questions than those concerned , 

 with local interests or provincial afl^airs. They like to take their place 

 in the world at large and therefore when individual Canadians make the 

 country known and make themselves known, we may well feel that they 

 are benefactors of the country and thus deserving of honour and distinc- 

 tion. I make that observation with reference to Sir Jolm Bourinot 

 because I have noticed that his name is very familiar in England and in 

 other parts of the British Empire. So I say that not only the members 

 of (he Royal Society but all Canadians may feel gratified when men like 

 Dr. Bourinot and Sir Sandford Fleming are selected for distinction. 

 And now, gentlemen, I wish to endeavour to express in a concentrated way 

 our thanks, not only for the action of to-day but for past manifestations 

 «if unvarying courtesy, consideilation and thoughtfulness. It is a great 



