LXII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



XY. — From The Royal Geographical Society, through Major General 

 D. R. Cameron, C.M.G-., F.E.CI.S. 



My Lord Archbishop : 



It has fallen to my lot to be honoured by being directed to convey 

 to Your Grace, and to the Council and Fellows of the Eoyal Societ}' of 

 Canada, the best thanks of the President and Council of the Eoyal 

 Geographical Society for the invitation you gave them to be present at 

 your meeting to commemorate the discovery of the North American 

 continent by John Cabot, to express to you their high appreciation of 

 your kindness and their warm sympathy with your gathering. 



Their sympathy is partly founded in their recognition of the bene- 

 fits to mankind which flow from the association of men influenced by the 

 high aims which bind the Eoyal Society of Canada, but, specially on the 

 present occasion do they experience communion of feehng with you, for 

 John Cabot was a man who, were he now living, would be the object of 

 the Eoyal Geographical Society's keenest interest. He was a leader 

 amongst discoverers and explorers in an age Avhen courage, self-reliance 

 and resourcefulness were incomparably more essential to success than at 

 the present day ; and he brilliantly succeeded in a direction which the 

 Eoj'al Geographical Society specially devote themselves to promote, 

 encourage and aid. 



The leader in most of the world's great movements in the advance- 

 ment of civilization has been the discoverer and explorer. In few cases 

 have his elibrts not caused the initial tremor which has swollen into a 

 mighty wave of consequent events, bearing with it and distributing vast 

 stores of knowledge and blessings for mankind. 



It is in this aspect of your gathering and the character of the in- 

 fluences you would now encourage, that the Eoyal Geographical Society 

 most heartily join with yoxx in doing honour to the memory of the 

 renowned John Cabot. 



I feel quite sure, too, that I shall have the full concurrence of the 

 Eoyal Geographical Society generally in tendering congratulations to the 

 Eoyal Society of Canada upon the striking progress made by their 

 association, and in having amongst its number the distinguished Can- 

 adian, the latest of the world's famed explorers, to be enrolled on the 

 Eoyal Geographical Society's list of illustrious gold medallists. 



