xliv PROCEEDINGS. 
Dr. MacKay’s communication was discussed by Mr. Piers, Dr. 
Somers, and Mr. Mituer. 
A paper, “On the Calculation of the Conductivity of Mixtures of 
Aqueous Solutions of Electrolytes having a common Jon,” by D. 
MclIytosn, Esq., Dalhousie College, was read by title. 
Notice of the May meeting of the Royal Society of Canada was 
read. The Presipent of the Institute was appointed delegate to the 
meeting, with power to appoint a substitute if necessary. 
SpecraL MEETING. 
Legislative Council Chamber, Halifax, 27th April, 1896. 
The PRESIDENT in the Chair. 
Rey. G. Patterson, D. D., Lu. D., of New Glasgow, N. S., having 
been invited by the Council to address the Institute on his investigations 
in relation to the Folk-speech of Newfoundland, in order that the atten- 
tion of members of the Institute might be directed to this kind of 
research, read the following paper :—- 
NOTES ON THE. DIALECT OF “THE |PEOPEEAOE 
NEWFOUNDLAND. 
Of Jate years Folk-lore, by which is meant popular superstitions, 
tales, traditions and Jegends, has engaged a large amount of attention, 
and is now universally recognized as of great value in the study of 
anthropology and comparative religion. Closely connected with this is 
the study of folk-speech, or the words and linguistic forms of the common 
people, as distinguished from the literary language of the cultured 
classes. These, though the consideration of them may be regarded as 
more properly belonging to the science of philology, are yet also of 
interest as connected with the history and migrations, the beliefs and 
modes of life of the peoples among whom they are found. 
Hitherto, in Nova Scotia, attention has scarcely been directed to 
either of these subjects. I know of no systematic attempt either to 
gather up the folk-lore or to discuss the linguistic peculiarities of our 
people. And yet we have an ample field. Our original settlers were 
principally French, German, English, Irish, Lowland Scotch, and Celtic, 
