PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS 

 A PLEA FOR LITERATURE. 



It will be my endeavour to direct your attention for a short time 

 this evening to some of the objects aimed at in founding the Royal 

 Society which appear to have attracted less than their legitimate share 

 of popular interest; to some of the functions which the Society is per- 

 forming and may perform, and to indicate some directions in which it 

 may develop. Mj remarks will be concerned chiefly with the first two 

 sections — the literary sections. The scientific sections express the acti- 

 vities of a scientific era. They deal with material things and make their 

 appeal to the practical genius of the age. They need neither explanation 

 nor apology; for, in popular opinion, science is held to have a basis of 

 real utility which is lacking in literature. The attention of mankind is 

 {focussed as never before on the advance of science as it strides from 

 victory to victory over the world of matter; but let us step out of the 

 blaze of noon and rest awhile in the quiet shade of the world of the 

 spirit. 



In providing so largely for literature, as distinguished from science, 

 the founders of our Society were following French models. The Royal 

 Society of London, founded in 16G0 "for improving Natural Knowledge," 

 has steadily observed the limitations of its charter; but Cardinal Riche- 

 lieu, twenty-five years previously (in 1635), had founded the French 

 Academy for purely literary objects. That great statesman recognized 

 the power of literature, and, for two hundred years, the French language 

 and literature dominated Europe, and the Academy exists to this day a 

 power in the world of literature, as is the Royal Society of London a 

 power in the world of science. 



During the formation of our Society the view was strongly advocated 

 that it should be organized after the pattern of the Royal Society of 

 London and with the same limitations. There were many, however, 

 among those called to Lord Lome's counsels who were familiar with the 

 traditions of French literature. Broader views prevailed, and the 

 objects of the French Academy, together with the objects of the Royal 

 Society of London, were covered by the dift'erent sections of the one Royal 

 Society of Canada. In this way Science and Literature can give each 

 other support. The influence of small bands of students of different 

 subjects is combined, and an institution was founded upon the broad 

 basis of the experience of two races, two nationalities, and two languages 

 — a counterpart of Canada itself. 



