8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL. VI. 
The Institute having applied early in the year to the Government for 
incorporation, the members were gratified to receive in response a Royal 
Charter. At this day it cannot be held as revealing a great state secret 
to mention how it was obtained, although the circumstances have not 
hitherto been made public. The then first Minister, Attorney General 
the Hon. Robert Baldwin, became interested in the Society through a 
young friend and kinsman, Mr. Thomas Ridout, a member of the 
Standing Committee. Mr. Ridout explained what were the aims and 
aspirations of the promoters of the Institute, and so deeply interested . 
Mr. Baldwin in their public and patriotic efforts that the Royal 
Charter was granted, November 4th, 1851.* 
The Third Session commenced on December 6th, 1851, when the 
Royal Charter was read. The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. 
Thomas Ridout for his good offices in respect thereto, and a committee 
was appointed to prepare regulations in order to carry out its objects. 
Early in the Session several gentlemen retired from the Institute, 
resigning their membership, protesting against the new departure in 
opening the doors of the Society, and terminating its professional and 
exclusive character. This action was deeply regretted, and the regret 
was enhanced by the fact that among the protesting members appeared 
the name of Mr. Kivas Tully, in whose office the Canadian Institute was 
cradled. Mr. Tully was, however, re-elected Feb, 9th, 1878, and in the 
following year a member of Council, and on Feb. 16th, 1889, he was 
made an honorary member. 
The Institute met regularly during the winter on each Saturday, until 
March 27th, 1852, when the following officers were duly elected under 
the Charter: Presedent, W. E. Logan; rst Vice-President, Captain Le- 
froy; 2ud Vice-President, J. O. Browne; Secretary, Sandford Fleming ; 
Cor. Secretary, Frederick W. Cumberland; 7veasurer, Dalrymple Craw- 
ford ; Curator, Frederick F. Passmore. These officers, along with 
Edward L. Cull, William Thomas and Dr. Melville, constituted the 
Council. Some weeks afterwards the Council was strengthened by the 
addition of three other gentlemen, Alfred Brunel, Professor Cherriman 
and Professor Croft. 
The second annual conversazione was held in the Mechanics’ Hall 
and adjoining rooms, on April 3rd. Addresses were delivered by the 
Vice-President, Captain Lefroy, Dr. Melville, Professor Hind, Professor 
Croft, Professor Cherriman, Dr. McCaul, and the Hon. Robert Baldwin, 
* The Charter is printed in full in Trans, Can. Inst., Vol. L., p. ix. 
