PEOCEEDINGS FOR 1887. Ill 



but like all other publications daily received, they arc practically inaccessible to those who would 

 find them of use. It is a question whether, in the absence of suitable accommodation of our own, we 

 should not make an ai-rangement with some large library by which we could lend them the collection 

 upon the understanding that it be returned when the Eoyal Society is in a position to use it. 



The question of accommodation is one which must press itself with great force upon the Society 

 ere much more time elapses. At present the office of the Honorary Secretary is the headquarters of 

 the Society, and it necessarily follows, that the members, and others interested in the work of the 

 Society, have no central point wheie they can meet at fixed times, discuss various questions, and carry 

 on the woik in which they are engaged. If the Government of Canada were in a position to build a 

 2sational Museum of Science commensurate with the imjjortance of the Dominion, the Society might 

 there find the accommodation of which they are so sadly in want. 



In England, the Government give similar facilities to the Eoyal Society, the Society of Anti- 

 quaries, and to other institutions of world-wide repute, in Burlington House. Of late years, some of 

 the rich men of Canada have shewn a desire to follow the example of the wealthy citizens of the 

 United States, and connect their names with seats of learning, public libraries, and scientific insti- 

 tutions. It may be that, in the course of time, we too shall have a Smithsonian Institution to commem- 

 orate the growth of science and culture in this Dominion. 



A circular was issued some months ago by the Council, directing attention to the meagre 

 attendance of members for the past two yeans. In a Society of limited membership, it is very desirable 

 that every member should endeavour to attend the annual meeting. The average attendance of 

 the years 1885 and 1886 did not exceed thirty-five, and at no time has it amounted to fifty, since the 

 commencement of our Society. It it true that many cogent reasons exist for the absence of some of 

 the members. Most of them ai'e engaged in universities or colleges, in the Geological Survey, or in 

 other departments of the public sei-vico, and it has more than once happened that the time of the 

 annual meeting has been inopportune for the attendance of many of the members whose jjresence is 

 especially important. The work of the Geological Survey, and of the Colonial Exhibition, has for two 

 years seriously interfei'ed with the meetings of the Society. It is a matter of congratulation that the 

 services of so many of the members of the Eoyal Society are found useful by the Government and 

 public institutions. When we find them called away to distant parts of Canada or to England for 

 public pui'poses, we must see that the Society is composed of not a few men whose lives are of 

 practical utility to their country. 



But at the same time we cannot fail to notice that there is a number of men on the list of 

 members who are apparently inditlorent to the work of the Society, and who, neither by their 

 presence nor by theii- contributions to the Transactions, do anything in the way of promoting the 

 work that most of us have at heart. 



Under these circumstances we consider it necessary to call attention once more to the rule which 

 sets forth that, " Any members failing to attend three years in succession, without presenting a paper. 

 Or assiginng reasons in writing- satisfactory to the Society, shall bo considered to have resigned." 



It is well known that were this rule stiictly enforced, a number of places would now be vacant 

 in the several Sections. As the time has evidently come for taking this matter into serious consider- 

 ation, the Council would recommend that a special committee be at once formed to search the minutes 

 and report forthwith at the present meeting on the attendance of members, with a view to enforcing 

 this rule in the future. 



A few days hence, the Empire to which the Canadians are proud to belong will celebrate the 

 fiftieth annivei'sary of the memorable day when her Majesty ascended the throne. The j'car 1837 was 

 one of gloom in Canada, but, it was not long before the peoplehad reason to congratulate themselves on 

 the commencement of a new era in their history. Year by year, under the benign and liberal 

 influences of the reign, the political liberties of the Canadians were enlarged, and the material and 

 social development of the country natuially followed this political expansion. The educational 



