IV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 



the Society; because when we come to think of it, it implied no little confidence in the country that 

 such a Society as this should have been originated at the time when it was started. As compared 

 •with the mother country and some other countries of the world, Canada is comparatively young, 

 and all the better for hor, because of the splendid prospects before her, and the vigour and vitality 

 of her life. (Applause.) 



" Of course it would be impossible for me to dilate upon the various subjects which are 

 embraced in your work, but I cannot help thinking that your programme for the next few days 

 shows how useful and effective, as well as deeply interesting, is the scope of your operations. This 

 programme, which your esteemed honorary secretary tells me is larger than any previous programme, 

 will be in itself a manifesto of what the Eoyal Society means, and of what it can do. 



" There is one other point in the address to which I cannot forbear from alluding. It appeired to 

 me to be e.xtremely appropriate that a society which not only promotes but watchfully observes the 

 literary and intellectual, as well as the social development of the country, should have taken approv- 

 ing note of the recent formation of the National Council of Women. (Applause.) Tho.<e who from 

 the first believed that this movement was capable of exerting a very useful influence have had that 

 opinion confirmed bj' the progress thus far of the Council; and at the same time, I hope that those 

 who at first were doubtful as to the practical utility of the movement, are already beginning to feel 

 that perhaps their doubts or misgivings, if they had any, were not well founded, and that the associa- 

 tion has before it a very useful future. (Applause.) I cannot help thinking that this tendency to 

 apprecistion will increase as the work goes on, — at any rate, on the part of those who observe the 

 matter with an open, intelligent and unprejudiced mind. Having alluded to this movement, I cannot 

 refrain from expressing on my own behalf, and I am sure on behalf of Lady Aberdeen, the apprecia- 

 tion with which we have listened to the special references to Her Excellency contained in this address. 

 (Applause.) You can undei-stand how much we value this token of confidence, good-will and encour- 

 agement, and I tiust that 3-ou may not be disappointed by further experience of our endeavours to 

 take part with you in the work of this Society. I say that, because, in accordance with your kind 

 proposal, I am ofticially connected with the Society as honorary president, and I hope the ' Transac- 

 tions' of the Society which I have had the pleasure of receiving from my friend Di-. Bourinot may be 

 regarded as not merely an official gift, but one which I may carry home with me to Scotland. 

 (Applause.) 



" In conclusion, I have only to oifer my warmest and heartiest good wishes for a most successful 

 series of meetings. This convention cannot fail to be deeply interesting, and I believe a large amount 

 of interest will be manifested in the proceedings ; and I am sure that those who attend will be heartilj^ 

 glad that they have done so." (Loud applause.) 



His Excellency then called upon the Honorary Secretary to read the following 



Eeport of Council. 

 The Council of the Royal Society of Canada have the hcmour to make the following report: 



I. Printing and Pdblication. 



The Honorary Secretary who has been Editor of the 'Transactions' for the past two years, makes 

 the following report on the publication of the volume, on behalf of the Printing Committee, of which 

 he is a member : 



" The eleventh volume of the ' Transactions ' appeared a month earlier than in previous years, and 

 is now in course of distribution. It contains with the illustrations some 600 pages, and is cousequentlj' 

 among the largest issued since 188.'?. In addition to the volume 3,400 copies of separate papers, or 

 5G,000 pages in all, have been issued to members and gone into general circulation. The cost of the 

 volume has been somewhat larger than was anticipated at first, on account of the numerous and 

 expen>ive illusli-ations and of the necessity for the printing of the conclusion of the Abbé Cuoq's 



