24 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL VI. 
sketch than in the words of one who may be regarded as perhaps 
the greatest benefactor of the Canadian Institute, the late General 
Sir Henry Lefroy. “This Society has a dignified, an honourable, 
“and a patriotic object before it; the field is wide and ready 
“for the harvest, if the laborers are still few; and if much of 
“that knowledge, contingent upon a thousand advantages never as 
“yet brought within our reach, which alone can truly appreciate or 
“ encourage their exertions, is at a low point among us, let us not doubt 
“that it will gain ground with rapidity and receive new impulses and 
“new rewards from every endeavour we make to carry into effect the 
“objects of our incorporation.” 
To-day, the objects before us are not less dignified, not less honourable, 
not less patriotic than when these words were spoken on January 8th, 
1853. The field is wider, the harvest more advanced, the labourers more 
numerous—every advantage has been increased and multiplied during 
long years of patient progress. The Canadian Institute unquestionably 
stands on better vantage ground than it did half a century ago. From 
this new starting point are we not encouraged to look forward to greater 
and greater usefulness? May we not anticipate a career in harmony 
with the progress of Canada in education, in material advancement and 
in every phase of prosperity ? 
