X@V111 PROCEEDINGS. 
by prompt publication, for facts known to the individual are buried 
unless made public. 
As Dr. Patterson died during the recess of the Institute, I took upon 
myself as expressing the feelings of the members to request the Corres- 
ponding Secretary to convey to the family of the deceased our sympathy 
with them in their loss, and asked him to represent the Institute at 
the funeral. 
Among the events of interest to the Institute last year may be 
mentioned the visit of the Royal Society. They left, as a memento, the 
handsome tablet on the walls of this Chamber, commemorating the land- 
fall of Cabot. The result of impartial investigations leads to an apparently 
well founded belief that the history of English domain on this continent 
had its opening page on the romantic shores of Cape Breton. 
The Provincial Exhibition, from the standpoint of this Institute, was 
remarkable for what it did not exhibit. Advantage should be taken of 
such occasions by the Provincial Government to teach people something 
new and practically valuable. Each year some subject should be taken 
up and illustrated. A display of insects injurious to the farmer or fruit- 
grower, giving their life history, changes, food, ete., and the remedies 
would serve for a number of teaching exhibits. Ina similar manner the 
subject of soils, fertilizers, ete. The more advanced systems of fishing, 
curing fish, ete., in other countries. Every one can add to this list. I 
believe that the Provincial Government would find their efforts in these 
directions well appreciated, and the material in many instances would be 
permanently available for their agricultural schools and for museums. 
This matter may be worth your consideration, and you may see an oppor- 
tunity to offer assistance to the Government in preparing and advancing 
such exhibits. 
These remarks on the Provincial Exhibition of a few days lead our 
thoughts to our permanent Provincial Exhibition, the Museum. It may 
be the case that Nova Scotians as a body retain the old fashioned idea 
that a museum should bea collection of curiosities. If so, it is the duty 
of the Institute to educate them to a better understanding. As you are 
aware, several representations have been made to the Government as to 
the importance of a modern museum, and its value from an educational 
as well as an economic standpoint. I think that the necessity of action 
has been conceded by the Government, but the provision from a fixed 
Tevenue for ever increasing public wants renders it difficult to provide 
funds for a new building. 
