304 Presidential Address. [Sess. 
coo of the dove, the screech of the owl, the chatter and the 
song of many a feathered occupant of these forsaken haunts 
of men. As we think of their ministries of teaching and of 
healing, of preaching and of alms-giving, of hospitality and of 
learning, we try to recall the priest at the altar, the cloistered 
monks, the chanting choristers, and the worshipping assemblies 
of the now ruined, but erstwhile magnificent, fane. The belted 
knight, too, of lordly mien, with his squires, their ladies fair 
and their feudal dependants, who owned and ruled from the 
strong castle which is now a mere empty shell and crumbling 
ruin—fit emblem of man’s feeble and fleeting power. But 
now, alas !— 
“ The breezes of the vernal day 
Come whispering through the empty halls, 
And stir, instead of tapestry, 
The weeds upon the walls.” 
While we are glad to reassemble and enter upon the work 
of a new Session, our Annual Meeting, at which we mark 
time, reminds us of comrades who have fallen by the way. 
We mourn the loss of Colonel W. Ivison Macadam, who, a 
few months ago, was struck down at the post of duty, wearing 
the King’s uniform, as he was about to leave for London 
to take his place and part in the Coronation celebrations. 
Colonel Macadam joined our Society in 1875, when it was 
merely a Field Club, and had served on the Council, It was 
on his motion that our winter evening meetings were com- 
menced in 1879. Mr Heggie, too, has gone, and we are the 
poorer by his removal. He entered the Society in 1881, 
and had served on the Council. 
Let us who remain endeavour to extend the usefulness and 
the membership of the Society, attend its meetings with 
regularity, contribute to its ‘Transactions, take part in the 
discussions, and, when spring-time comes again, go out on 
the field-excursions. Thus shall we do good to others while 
getting benefit to ourselves. 
