XLII ROYAJ. SOCIETY OF CANADA 



the guns are only the fighting men of the ship while behind the flag are 

 the sentiment and strength of an empire. This conviction, no doubt, 

 prevailed with the founder of our society, although there were some 

 ipraictical considerations in favour of the limitation of the scheme to 

 science, at least at the beginning. 



Sir William Dawson. 



Sir William accepted the views of the Marquis^ and heartily 

 co-operated in laying the foundations of a society with which, as he says 

 himself, he hoped his name would ever be associated, as I associate it 

 to-day. In testimony to the appreciation of his work, he was twice ap- 

 pointed President, a unique honour in the society. 



Objects of the Society. 



It was intended to be the Parliament of Literature and 

 Science for Canada, where the most eminent representatives from all i^lio 

 provinces could assemble for the promotion of both. It was to be a 

 University for Universities where the teachers of teachers,and the investi- 

 gators of truth, should themselves get new knowledge, while contributing 

 the results of their researches and gaining fresh stimulus from the spirit 

 of lassociation. It was, in fine, to be the heart of knowledge and research, 

 'driving the life-blood through the extremities and making it circulate 

 through the whole of the Dominion. 



These were noble objects that the Duke of Argyll set before him. 

 But more than this was evidently meant. 



The Two Languages. 



Such a society would bring together the leaders of thought and cul- 

 ture (in both languages and by mutual acquaintance tend to promot/a 

 mutual respect and regard. How successful it has been in this, I suppose 

 we can .all testify. I for one am greatly sensible how much both of 

 benefit and pleasure I have derived from contact with the eminent men 

 having French for their mother-tongue whom I have met here, some of 

 whom have passed away, but whose names are not forgotten. 



It was sound statesmanship, even if we look for nothing higher to 

 create two literary sections, one for each language, as a testimony to the 

 belief in the permanent co-existence of both languages, and so diminish 

 land help to remove a certain nervousness on the siubject which is now 

 fading away, if not wholly departed; but which I believe would not 



