72 2ransactio7is, 



even compose them. But whatever I heard him say, the same I 

 tried to write down in the very words as nearly as possible, in 

 order to preserve them as memorials for myself in the future of 

 his reasoning and freedom of speech. Accordingly they are 

 naturally such remarks as a man would address to another, 

 speaking without previous preparation, not such discourses as a 

 man would compose that afterwards they might be read by 

 others." 



CONVERSAZIONE, January 24, 1895. 



Invitations were issued to the members and their friends to a 

 conversazione to be held in Free St. George's Hall, and they 

 responded in large numbers. The hall was carpeted and taste- 

 fully draped for the occasion, and tea tables were dotted about it. 

 As the members of the company entered they were individually 

 introduced to Sir James Crichton-Browne, president of the 

 Association ; ind then, grouping themselves around the little 

 tables or moving about among acquaintances, had tea and cakes 

 handed round to them. This was followed by a short programme 

 of instrumental music. Miss Andson, Miss Hamilton, Victoria 

 Road, and Miss Stark, Woodlea, played selections on the 

 pianoforte ; and Mr Hume and Mr Dearlove on the violin and 

 pianoforte. The greater part of the evening was given up to an 

 address by the President and a lecturfe by him on " Emotional 

 Expression," which was profusely illustrated with photographs 

 displayed by means of the lime-light lantern, under the direction 

 of Dr Maxwell Ross. 



Dr Chinnock, secretary of the Society, apologised for the 

 absence of Mr Thomas M'Kie and Mr W. J. Maxwell, M.P., two 

 of the vice-presidents ; and stated that he had the very pleasing 

 duty of introducing their distinguished president. Sir James 

 Crichton-Browne. (Cheers.) 



Sir James Crichton-Browne, who was cordially cheered, said : 

 Ladies and gentlemen, I am afraid before the evening is ended 

 you will have heard more than enough of the sound of my voice. 

 I shall, therefore, as briefly as possible, discharge the first duty 

 assigned to me by the Council of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway 

 Natural History and Antiquarian Society, and in their name bid 

 you welcome to this conversazione. (Cheers.) And in dis- 

 char'^in"' that duty, I would embrace the opportunity it affords 



