1898-99.] THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 659 
The following is the text of number 6: 
As the early history of the Canadian Institute may not be uninteresting in after years 
when the Society has assumed that position which we have hopes will be found for it, 
a brief outline of its origin and infantile existence ought now to be recorded before such 
be completely veiled in obscurity. 
The Canadian Institute, like many other Societies of a similar character, dates its 
origin from small beginnings. One or two individuals whose inclination led them to 
seek for that intercourse between persons of a more practical and scientific turn of mind 
than is generally found in ordinary debating societies, and being themselves connected 
with the surveying and engineering professions, they were induced to believe that the 
formation of a Society consisting of gentlemen in those professions would draw together 
many kindred minds, and offer an opportunity to persons engaged in those pursuits of 
accumulating such knowledge as is necessary for the diversified practice of their pro- 
fessions, and of mutually benefitting each other by the interchange of individual obser- 
vation and experience. 
With the view of considering the establishment of such a Society, a few surveyors, 
engineers, architects, residing in and near Toronto, met on June 2oth, and on July 2oth, 
1849 ; at the second meeting a prospectus of the proposed Society was agreed on and 
ordered to be forwarded to members of their profession generally throughout the Pro- 
vince with a view to their advice and co-operation. The following is a copy of the pro- 
spectus in accordance with the principles of which the Society was first organized on 
September 22nd, 1849. 
PROSPECTUS OF THE PROPOSED CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 
To be composed— 
first—Of Provincial Land Surveyors, Civil Engineers and Architects, practising in 
the Province, as members. 
Second—Of Members of the same profession not practising in the Province as 
corresponding members. 
Third—Of men distinguished in Science and the Arts residing in the Province but 
not belonging to either of the above professions, as honorary members. 
Fourth— Of Students under articles as Graduates. 
The officers of the Institute to consist of a President, and Vice-President, Council, 
Secretary and two Auditors, to be elected annually. 
The Treasurer to be a Chartered Bank in the City of Toronto, 
The rooms of the Institute to be situate in the City of Toronto. 
Libraries to be formed and collections made of Maps, Drawings, Models, etc. 
A Museum to be established for the collection of Geological, Mineralogical and 
other specimens. 
Professional discussions to be held and papers read. 
Transactions to be published. 
Standard instruments to be kept for reference. 
Philosophical observations to be made and registered. 
