IV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



always read with pleasure the praise he bestowed upon the first Jesuit 

 missionaries of Canada. Mr. Goldwiu Smith who knew him well wrote, 

 on the occasion of his death, the lines which I am about to read : "The 

 grave of Dr. Withrow closes over a distinguished writer, and one who did 

 honour to this province in more lines than one. If we do not produce 

 many stars of literature, the cause is not lack of literary aptitude, but the 

 narrowness of the field. England is remote and we are cut off by a sharp 

 line from our own continent. Under the circumstances we make a fair 

 show. Dr. Withrow's name and w^orks will not die." Such a eulogy from 

 the pen of a writer as distinguished as Goldwin Smith is strong proof 

 that Canadian letters may well regret the departure of Dr. Withrow. 



As soon as possible after the death of Dr. Fletcher I summoned at 

 Ottawa a meeting of the membeis of Lhe Society residing in this city, 

 and resolutions of condolence were adopted which I transmitted to Mrs. 

 Fletcher. These resolutions will be given in the annual report, but I 

 think, gentlemen, now that a full meeting of the Society is in session, it 

 would be equally proper to recognize in an official manner the painful 

 loss which we have sustained. 



In conformity with Section 13 of the Eegulations, I also summoned 

 a meeting of Council for the 26th of November in order that choice might 

 be made of an honorary secretary to fill the late Dr. Fletcher's place dur- 

 ing the remainder of the official year. And it is my duty to inform you 

 that Dr. William Dawson LeSueur, a member of Section II, was the 

 unanimous choice of the meeting. I do not doubt that the action of the 

 Council will be approved. The Montreal Gazette, one of the highest 

 authorities in ail literary matters in the press of Canada, was kind enough 

 to say that the selection was a happy one, and that Mr. LeSueur would 

 be a worthy successor of Bourinnt, Dawson, and Fletcher. It is my be- 

 lief that the joiirnal in question has faithfully echoed public sentiment. 

 Mr. LeSueur's position in the world of letters to-day is an assured one. 

 His reputation as a graceful writer and a conscientious historian is not 

 confined to Canada. Deeply read in the literature of the two races which 

 divide Canada, and speaking English and French equally well. Dr. Le- 

 Sueur is a valuable acquisition ; and I have been in a position since last 

 November to see him in the actual performance of his duties. I am 

 bound to record my extreme gratitude to him for the powerful aid he has 

 afi'orded me since then in conducting the business of the. Society during 

 the last academic year and in the editing of the minutes of the extra- 

 ordinary session held at Quebec. As all are aware the correspondence of 

 the Society is considerable. He has necessarily to keep in touch with the 

 societies of other countries which send him their memoirs or ask for in- 



