PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 



H. Beaumont Small, M.D. 



(delivered 6th DECEMBER, 1883.) 



Members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Gh.ih, Ladies and Genlleriien: 



It is with feelings of pleasure mingled with fear that T find myself 

 in the position to welcome yon upon this the fifth year of oar Club's 

 history. To feel that I have been considered worthy of occupying the 

 position of President is an undoubted pleasure; yet there is ever the 

 fear that the honour entrusted to me is greater than I have the power 

 to maintain. Your confidence, T can assure you, has been appreciated; 

 and, in addition to what my actions may imply, I will simply ask you to 

 accept my most hearty thanks for placing me in this honourable position. 

 From its beginning the Club has ever had my co-operation and good 

 "wishes; its welfare I have ever striven to promote. The incursions 

 into th£ realms of Dame Nature, and the friendly intercourse with 

 fellow members have always proved a source of pleasure and relaxation 

 from other more serious duties of evei-yday life. 



The acceptance of the office was not without deep consideration on 

 my part. I felt its importance — was aware of the duties it would 

 require — knew that much time would have to be devoted to its work — • 

 and weighing all these things carefully, I accepteil it, trusting to your 

 forbearance, determining to fulfil all its obligations to the utmost of 

 my ability. Per]ia[)s that which lent greatest weight to my decision 

 was the friendly relations existing with all my confreres in the Council, 

 upon whom 1 felt T could rely for every aid to make my term easy and 

 successful. 



Of the many difficulties that must of necessity be met, one in 



particular will ever overshadow all my cftorts. I refer to the brilliant 



career of my predecessor in office, for a n;ore untiring, energetic officer, 



or a more successful period in the history of any club, could not be 



wished for. Previous to 1879 Natural History in Ottawa ran at 



15 - 



