1898-99. | FIFTIETH YEAR OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 649 
I have long thought that the Canadian Institute might take a leading 
part in preserving in the most pleasing and instructive form the events 
of the past. I have felt that in the interest of Canadian patriotism there 
should be a national gallery of paintings, which would represent the 
most important epochs of our history. Our history provides the 
materials in abundance for its full development. We have indeed a 
two-fold inheritance—on the one hand, the record of two centuries of 
discovery and adventure under French rule; on the other hand, the 
events chronicled for a century and a quarter under British rule. 
The existence of the primitive race should also be remembered. To 
carry such a proposal into effect would undoubtedly assist greatly in 
cultivating a healthy, national feeling. National feeling, we all know, is 
but a sentiment; but sentiment is recognised to be the most potent 
influence, and patriotism is the sentiment which influences the world. It 
is the cohesive power which gives strength and vitality to a nation. 
Clearly it is our duty to cultivate this marvellous vitalizing force. What 
society in the Dominion could more effectively inaugurate such a 
movement? It is quite true that Ottawa, Montreal, and perhaps other 
cities may each lay a claim to be the seat of such a collection of works 
of Art, but where could a national gallery of historic pictures be more 
appropriately placed than in the chief city of the wealthiest Province ? 
It remains for me to make a passing reference to a question of great 
scientific and general interest, a question which first engaged the 
attention of the Institute twenty years ago; and, on the action taken by 
the society, a discussion was inaugurated which extended itself to 
scientific and other societies throughout the world. 
. 
The circumstances of the age demanded an investigation into the 
matter of time-reckoning. Through the good offices of His Excellency, 
the Governor-General of Canada (Lord Lorne) the deliberations of the 
Canadian Institute were brought to the notice of the official and 
scientific authorities, first of Great Britain, and, subsequently, of all 
civilized nations. By this means the simplification of a complex system 
of reckoning time, admittedly open to well-founded objections, was 
achieved. Action on the Memorials of the Institute, through the 
intervention of His Excellency and the British Government, led to the 
substitution for the old complex system of one which not only offered a 
solution of the evils universally experienced, but one free from any of 
the causes of international jealousy which had hitherto neutralized the 
efforts of scientific men to remedy. 
The unimpeachable character of the conclusions and recommendations 
