15 



so soon clears away inacciii-acies and narrowraindedness, and, in fact, 



without wliich progress is impossible. ISTor are the jiroceedings of the 



Royal Society confined entirely to its members. To keep up its dignity 



it could only include the very first men in letters and science ; but as in a 



large country like Canada it was very difficult to decide upon whom this 



honour could be conferred, the only true course which could be followed 



was adopted, namely, judging of men not by reputation, but by the. 



works they had actually produced. It was, however, felt that there 



were many able men who, although they had never published any 



completed works, were yet capable of producing work which would not 



only bring credit on themselves, but on their country also. As a means 



to benefit by this, it was decided to invite each of the societies of anv 



acknowledged standing in science and literature to send annually a 



representative delegate, to attend the meetings, who would have the 



privilege of reading papers by members of his own society, and joining 



in all the discussions that might arise on the different subjects introduced, 



and further, the papers so read would be treated exactly the same 



as those of the full members of the Royal Society, and if of sufficient 



value for publication would be included in their Transactions. I am 



sure it is a matter of no small gratification to all present to hear that 



your Council has been notified by the Secretary of the Royal Society that 



this Club is considered worthy of being represented at the next annual 



meeting. I may mention, too, that in acknowledging this compliment 



the Council stated that whoever was chosen by the Club as President 



for next year would also act as delegate on that occasion. The Royal 



Sociey is not content with reading and discussing papers alone ; already 



they have taken an important step in petitioning the Government to 



abolish the duty on scientific publications, and have prepared a plan of 



action which, as soon as funds are available, will be put in force for 



communicating with different parts of the Dominion, with the view of 



building up a National Museum. As no political influence has been 



allowed to creep in, it is indeed to be hoped that the Government will 



see its way to make a grant for the purpose of assisting them in cai-ry- 



ing out what they propose, and in publishing the results of their labours. 



Moreover, the obligation will not beall on one side, for, as Dr. Sterry Hunt 



has remarked, " the executive authority will always have in the Society 



