1898-99. | THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE, 23 
The list of presidents shows that General Sir Henry Lefroy was suc- 
ceeded by,gentlemen of the very highest standing and culture. His 
two immediate successors in the presidential chair were Chief Justice 
Robinson and the Hon. G. W. Allan, who since that date has so long 
and so worthily filled the position of Senator in the Canadian Parlia- 
ment. The first was chosen president at the annual general meeting 
December 17th, 1853, again in December, 1854. The latter was first 
elected in December, 1855, and remained president two years. 
The writer does not propose to extend the narrative into the fifth 
Session, which commenced in December, 1853. Before that date a 
public event occurred which may be noted. Mr. Robert Stephenson, 
M.P., an engineer of world-wide fame, visited Canada in connection with 
bridging the St. Lawrence, where the Victoria Tubular Bridge was 
afterwards erected. A banquet was tendered him in Toronto by 
members of the Institute and others. It was given in the Legislative 
Assembly Hall on a scale worthy of the distinguished guest, and 
described in the press as “the most splendid that ever took place in 
Toronto.” This occurred on August 26th, 1853. On that occasion the 
Council of the Institute presented him with a congratulatory address, and 
at the same time asked him to allow himself to be nominated a life 
member. 
In the foregoing narrative the writer has endeavored to bring together 
in consecutive order his recollections of past events and incidents, and 
he has supported them by references to documentary evidence, and he 
has embellished them by reproducing the words of distinguished men, 
once associated with the Institute, who have long since passed away. 
The writer trusts that these facts and reminiscences may prove of service 
to the historian when he comes to weave into some other and more 
enduring form the annals of the Canadian Institute. The zeal and 
ardour infused during the period described undeniably gave the Society 
a great impulse, and if the membership be taken as any index of 
success, the progress and prosperity of the Institute may be judged 
from these data:—In 1850 the members numbered 64; in 1851, 112; 
.in 1852, 263; in 1853, 282 ; in 1854, 350; in 1855, 508. 
The writer vividly recalls with great satisfaction the words and acts of 
the earnest well-wishers of literary and scientific progress, with whom he 
had the happiness to co-operate in establishing the foundations of this 
Society. It is indeed a high privilege, at the dawn of a new half 
century, to be permitted to allude to them and pay respectful tribute to 
their memory. He feels that he cannot better conclude this brief 
