PROCEEDINGS FOR 1899 • CXIX 



requisition of the Government, transferred to its archive's in the year 

 1888, nnder a misconception that they formed a part of the public 

 documents, have been returned to the society, they being copies only 

 of original papers, of right belonging to it. They are now on the 

 shelves of our library, there to remain in future. 



The Assistant Librarian has verified the total number so returned, 

 amounting to 31 volumes folio, which are of considerable value, both 

 as regard their original cost and their substance. The list hereto ap- 

 pended specifies all these' documents. 



No indemnity, nor annual grant, as promised for the appropria- 

 tion of these documents by the Governme'nt, has yet been received. 

 We still hope for a more favourable consideration of our claim. 



We owe a debt of gratitude to the officers of Morrin College for 

 their kindness in allowing us the use of their rooms for the lectures 

 given through the agency of our society. 



The report of the Treasurer is summed up as follows : — 



The receipts were $525 67 



Disbursements 509 43 



Balance' on hand $ 16 21 



There is also to the credit of the Endowment Fund, in the Quebec 

 Savings Bank, the sum of $2,053.58. 



When the society was incorporated in 1831, it was composed of 

 gentlemen belonging to every nationality and creed in Quebec. The 

 French speaking part of the population had a fair and proportionate 

 number in the ranks of the society. We regret to observe that the 

 same zeal has not been shoAvn during the last decade. 



It is true that tlie cognate institution which exists in our midst, 

 viz., the Institut Canadien, has diverted many to its library and read- 

 ing room; nevertheless, it is to be hoped that our society will receive 

 such encouragement as may tend to preserve its initial footing and char- 

 acter, as embracing all nationalities and creeds. 



In conclusion, the President offers his best thanks to the very 

 Reverend Dean Norman, Vice-President, for his valuable assistance in 

 the performance of his duties, and for his kind and graceful manner in 

 giving a helping hand. 



The wliole respectfully submitted, 



P. B. Casgrain, 



Fresidenl. 

 Quebec, January 11th, 1899. 



Proc, 1899. H 



