XXXVIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



realized. The objects of the society are stated in the constitution to be 

 " the investigation and, as far as possible, the collection and preservation 

 of books, documents and other objects of historical interest, the reading at 

 the meetings of the society of papers on historical subjects, and the publi- 

 cation, so far as the funds of the society would permit, of such documents 

 and papers as it might be deemed advisable to publish." 



The following papers have been read during the last season : 

 1896. 

 Nov. 3 — "An Outlook from Kingston, One Hundred Years Ago," 



Eev. S. Houston. 

 Dec. 8 — "Further Eesearches into the Early Eistor}' of Banking in 



Upper Canada," Prof Shortt. 

 1897. 

 Jan. 12 — "Slavery in Canada Before and After the Conquest," Dr. 



Neil son. 

 Feb. 16 — " The Old Fortifications on Points Frederick and Heniy 



(Kingston)," R. T. Walkem, Q.C. 

 March 9. — " The Cabots and Discovery of Canada," Prof. Ferguson. 

 May 4 — " Earl}' Settlement of the Northwest,'" J. Fortescue, Esq. 



With reference to that part of our work which consists in the collec- 

 tion and preservation of books, documents and other objects of historical 

 interest, I might say that it was hardly to be expected that there should 

 be much of this material gathered in in view of the fact that for many 

 years past active collectors of these objects have been busy in every 

 direction. There are, however, 1 am told, gleanings still to be obtained 

 in the shape of old letters, etc., in the hands of the descendants of U. E. 

 Loyalists and others which bear upon the early history of the country and 

 some of which the society may hope to obtain. Some of our friends have 

 presented to the society books and papers which are interesting, even if 

 they cannot be regarded as possessing historical value. Our books and 

 documents are confided to the care of Prof Shortt, and are kept by him, 

 I understand, in Queen's University. As regards the printing of our 

 papers we have, through the influence of some of our most prominent 

 members, been able to arrange for the publication of such as may be 

 regarded as original and as dealing with certain special subjects, in the 

 Queen's Quarterly Magazine^ without expense to the society. Those of a 

 special character and of general interest, such as Prof. Shortt's essay on 

 " Banking in the Early Days," have been published elsewhere. So far 

 there has been no ditficulty in securing the publication of such papers as 

 any of the authors may wish to see published, and I do not anticipate any 

 difficulty in the future. Any of the papers read heretofore before the 

 society would have been eagerly accepted, 1 think, by some of the 

 magazines or literarj' jouraals. 



