PEOCEEDINGS FOE 1894. LXV 



time to time, by means of deputations oi- memorials, drawn the attention of the government to 

 matters which appeared to it to possess especial importance. These have generally been of a char- 

 acter such as to require some expenditure on the part of the government, but they have in all cases 

 been favourably received, and in some instances have already been acted upon. This has been the 

 case in respect to the tidal surveys, and the determination of the longitude of Montreal, both already 

 referred to. At least one matter of importance which has constantly been before the Society since 

 its organization has, however, not yet achieved any piactical recognition, — this is the establishment 

 of a National Museum to which I have already alluded. But the relations of the Royal Society to the 

 State wore not intended to consist merely in petitioning the government in favour of certain lines of 

 action. In a thoughtful essay on the subject read before the Society in 1883, the late Dr. Todd 

 explained in some detail the connection oxif<ting between the Impei-ial Grovernment and the Eoyal 

 Society of England — upon the general lines of which the Eoyal Society of Cana'a is framed — 

 pointing out in what wa}' this had grown up, in consequence of the marvellous flexibility of that 

 complex organism, the British Constitution. 



As this appears to me to be a matter of importance and one which should engage our attention, 

 I need make no apology for quoting Dr. Todd's words. He writes : " It is well known to students of 

 political history that one result 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 sj'stem ; 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 beneficial ends. 

 Ministers are expected, not only to forward sound legislation in these directions, but to resist and 

 expose every crude, imperfect, or otherwise objectionable notion of this description which may be 

 propounded by private members. It is impossible that any ministers, however able and 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. Eealizing this deficiency, the Imperial Government have gladly availed 

 themselves of the co-operation of the Eoyal 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 Eoyal 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 

 coi'porate capacity." 



I trust that in the review which I have attempted of the various institutions engaged in scientific 

 work and investigation in Canada, I have succeeded in conveying the impression that while something 

 has already been accomplished, much more remains to be done, while the continued expansion of the 

 interests of the country is every year opening up new fields of investigation and new problems which 

 must be undertaken and solved. In each such case I have endeavoured to connect the new work which 

 appears to lie before us with that one of the present organizations to which it appears to be naturally 

 aflBiliated, but one important line of inquiry must yet be mentioned in which no systematic beginning 

 has been made, either under the auspices of the government or bj' any society or institutions 

 especially devoted to it. This is the field of ethnology, wliich in Canada is a very extensive one, and 

 which calls for immediate effort, inasmuch as the native races with which this study is concerned, are 

 either rapidly passing away or are changing from their primitive condition. The late Sir Daniel 

 Wilson, by whose death the Society has suffered so great a loss, more than once brought this subject 

 to our notice in eloquent terms. 



Troc. Ib94. .1. 



