2 Transactions of the 



once more as their President. He felt really proud of that dis- 

 tinction, of which he was so unworthy a recipient. It was always 

 a real privilege to preside over any body formed for the further- 

 ance of knowledge ; but when that body was blessed with the 

 vigorous health and growth which promised to its youth a robust 

 manhood and a sound constitution ; when again it was — as he 

 hoped this was — an association of willing learners, and enthusi- 

 astic lovers of all that was good, and beautiful, and true, — then 

 did the Presidential office become one of great responsibility, and 

 many a conscientious man, however competent, would shrink 

 from the acceptance of its duties. For his own part, he Avould 

 rather have occupied a mere ordinary place among the working 

 members, and the honour was none of his seeking. But since 

 they had been pleased to call him to the office once more, he felt 

 that it would be a slight to their confidence if he merely con- 

 sulted his own personal inclinations in the matter. So, in taking 

 the chair at the beginning of a new term and a new year, he 

 trusted they would excuse any shortcomings on his part, and 

 he would sincerely endeavour to return their kindness by an 

 increased interest in their success. 



There was one fact which the President thought was fair sub- 

 ject of congratulation for the Society, since it showed the interest 

 taken in its proceedings throughout the School, and seemed, to 

 him at least, an indication of material stability. Their num- 

 bers largely increasing of late, they had found it necessary to 

 place some limits on the membership, and had fixed it at seventy 

 (sixty members from the Upper, and ten from the Junior School). 

 He was glad to say that this plan had worked remarkably well ; 

 indeed, so numerous were the candidates for admission, that it 

 was thought unfair to allow useless members to remain there 

 (and a few such stray wolves had, of course, found their way 

 into that little fold). So, by a rigid system of compulsory at- 

 tendance at meetings, those who liked to have the privileges 

 without the duties no longer were attracted to the Society, and 

 room was thus made for more zealous adherents. 



The President then went on to contrast the present state of 

 things with the past, showing how that, little more than a year 

 before, they had only had seventeen members, but that they had 

 now been able to maintain the definite number of seventy for 

 two terms, although the winter had afforded none of the ' loait ' 

 in the way of excursions or soirees which the invidious had 

 erroneously supposed to form an inducement to membership. 

 He had good reason, he thought, to believe that this prosperity 

 would not be ephemeral. Comparing the statistics of attend- 

 ance at meetings with those of other School Societies, he found 



