XXXVIII THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



cut off from each other, and in consequence they cannot extend, except 

 in some way such as this, the hand of fellowship to each other, or assist 

 each other as they would do were the same twenty-three universities 

 centred in an area not larger than the Provinces of Quebec and 

 Ontario. Distances divide them and the life of each is more or less 

 detached. It is, in consequence, apt to become circumscribed in its 

 intellectual outlook. Therefore this Universities Conference, though 

 I do not suppose it was intended to do that, will abbreviate those 

 distances, bring the universities together, make them work together, 

 accentuate their usefulness, and thus further the national ends of 

 our Dominion. There is a vital need for this. In the United States 

 are universities which are destined to be the greatest in the world, 

 with huge endowments, and with a spirit, a genius and an enterprise 

 that do not obtain in the other universities of the world, however 

 great or however old they are. In this country we are trying to 

 develop a national spirit. This can be done only by fostering the 

 development of our own Universities to a degree that will make it 

 unnecessary for our students to go to American Universities to com- 

 plete their training in scholarship or research. If we leave the inspira- 

 tion of the higher life of our country to be derived from without, 

 we cannot expect our national spirit to be distinctive, undiluted and 

 pure. The Universities Conference in its meetings should have ever 

 this in mind and assist in cultivating Canadian intellectual ideals and, 

 accordingly, a national self respect. 



The Universities Conference should, I hold, work in co-operation 

 with The Royal Society. They have much in common and they can 

 assist each other along many lines. For this purpose they should 

 always meet annually at the same time and, if possible, here in Ottawa. 

 This would establish a bond between the two, a brotherhood of the 

 Universities and of The Royal Society which would promote a wide 

 intellectual outlook in ©ur country. 



I regret that I have not the eloquence of Sir George Foster and 

 Honourable Mr. Lemieux to do full justice to this toast, but we are 

 going to have two speakers who, in responding to it, will supply what 

 I have failed to give. 



I have now the privilege of proposing the toast of the Universities 

 Conference and The Royal Society of Canada. 



Your Excellency, and Gentlemen, 



It would be presumptuous for me to respond on behalf of The 

 Royal Society of Canada, seeing that I am so recent a member of that 

 institution, which already has made for itself a place of distinction in 

 this Dominion. But the President of the Society has happily rendered 



