660 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE, [VoL. VI. 
A Board of Arbitration to be established for the settlement of difficulties arising 
between members in the practice of their professions. 
The subscription of members to be one pound per annum. 
The subscription of graduates to be ten shillings per annum. 
Corresponding and Honorary Members, and Members joining the Institute after, 
September 22nd, to be admitted by ballot. 
Graduates to be admitted on recommendation of the Council. 
From this it will be seen that the proposed Society, although now greatly modified, 
was at first strictly of a professional character. The prospectus was transmitted to 
nearly 500 persons throughout the Province, accompanied by a suitable circular in reply 
to which from twelve to fifteen letters only were received. The promoters were dis- 
heartened, the monthly meetings were thinly attended, although notices of such meet- 
ings were regularly sent to all concerned, the sanguine expectations of many of the 
members were damped, and by some the Society was entirely abandoned at a time 
when their assistance was most needed. At last the attendance dwindled down to two 
persons, and then the prospects of the young Institute were gloomy indeed. At this 
small meeting various schemes were talked over as to the ultimate chances of success, 
and it was then considered that by opening out the Society to those whose pursuits and 
studies were of a kindred character, and by holding regular weekly meetings for the 
reading and discussing of papers, the Society would gradually take a practical and 
proper footing. The weekly meetings have been held regularly since that time during 
the winter months, and the attendance has occasionally been good although often dis- 
piriting. Several interesting communications of professional and general interest have 
been read and some of them have excited spirited discussion. Many of the meetings 
have been occupied by discussions connected with proposed changes (since confirmed) 
in the ‘‘ constitution” and ‘‘ regulations ” of the Society ; at last on April 12th, 1851, it 
was resolved that the proper steps be taken for obtaining such a Charter as the Society 
now enjoys, for promoting intercourse and knowledge among men throughout Canada. 
By this step, the hitherto strictly professional association was changed to one of a 
general character and the way paved for the Canadian Institute as it now exists. 
On May toth last year, (1851), the first Conversazione was held. The Royal Charter 
of Incorporation was granted on November 4th, 1851, and by it W. E. Logan, Director 
of the Geographical Survey, was decreed first President. The remaining Officers and 
Members of the Council required by the Charter were elected on the March 27th, last ; 
they accepted office on the following week at a conversazione. Prior to the election of 
officers, the weekly meeting's were occupied in the usual manner and in preparing and 
maturing a proper code of laws in harmony with the requirements of the Charter for the 
future government of the Institute. 
Such is a brief history of the Canadian Institute, up to the acceptance of the Royal 
Charter. By the unceasing perseverance of its founders it has already taken root. By 
the Charter of Incorporation its establishment and character has been permanently con- 
firmed, by each increase of numbers it receives a new impulse, by the zeal and unity of 
purpose of its promoters, the practical efforts of its members, and the fostering hand of 
an enlightened legislature, the future prospects of the Society are, we trust, many days 
of usefulness and uninterrupted prosperity. 
