1898-99. | THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 3 
order to unite members of the three professions throughout the 
province. The meeting was at least remarkable from the day upon 
which it was held. The Queen had been on the throne twelve years, 
and by the merest accident this meeting, the first to which we can trace 
the inception of the Canadian Institute, was held upon the anniversary 
of the day upon which Her Majesty was crowned. This fact may be 
characterized as a happy coincidence, and in truth it was nothing more, 
but subsequent events give evidence that it was an augury for good. 
This preliminary meeting was adjourned for a month. At the 
adjourned meeting a committee, specially appointed, submitted a report. 
After discussion this report was referred back to the Committee with 
instructions to prepare a prospectus of the proposed society. The 
meeting was further adjourned to August 31st, and again until Septem- 
ber 22nd. On the latter occasion it was finally resolved “ that a Society 
be now formed in accordance with the principles set forth in the Pros- 
pectus,” and it may here be noted that the principles referred to are 
embodied in the Royal Charter, granted two years later (November 4th, 
1851). At the meeting held September 22nd, 1849, Hon. H. H. Killaly 
was chosen president, but subsequently that gentleman declined to accept 
the appointment. The following appointments were also made and 
accepted : Charles Rankin, of Owen Sound, Vice-President, J. Stoughton 
Dennis, of Weston, Hon. Secretary. It was further resolved that Sand- 
ford Fleming. J. O. Browne, F. W. Cumberland and Kivas Tully bea 
Standing Committee for the purpose of conserving the interests and 
assisting to carry on the ordinary business of the Institute. 
The next meeting was held on November 4th, when a constitution was 
submitted by the Standing Committee. On discussion, it was referred 
back for amendment, with instructions to report at an adjourned 
meeting to be held on February 8th, 1850. 
On the latter date the meeting was attended by two members only, 
Mr. . F. Passmore and the writer. The prospects of the young 
Institute were not brilliant, but the two determined to act with energy, 
if not with entire regularity. After much silence and long waiting in 
vain for other members to appear, the one addressed the other in these 
words, “ This looks bad—we must, however, proceed, as the saying is, to 
make a spoon or spoil the horn. Let one of us take the chair and the 
other act as Secretary,” and so agreed, dispensing in the emergency 
with a quorum, they passed a series of resolutions with complete 
unanimity. No amendments were offered and time was not spent in 
long discussions ; those present deemed it a dispensable formality to 
