196 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS—SECTION I. 
song on the operatic stage of the capitals both of France and 
England. And from this bright category, to which additions no 
doubt can be made by other members of the Association, the 
names of Amy Sherwin, the sweet singer of Tasmania, and of 
Alice Rees, so well known to Australian audiences, cannot be 
omitted. But although it is pleasant to contemplate these 
phenomenal cases as bright particular stars, the extraordinary 
love of the art which permeates the entire community presents a 
still more pleasing and satisfactory feature for observation, 
indicating as it does the pervading presence of that refinement 
which is so desirable an element of national character. Were 
visible proof required of this universal passion for music, we 
have only to look around, not only on private society, but on the 
great and apparently insatiable audiences which never fail 
to crowd+our numerous and brilliantly conducted oratorios, 
liedertafels, operas and similar performances. The recent 
establishment, too, in Melbourne of a National Orchestra, under 
the management of one of the foremost English professors of 
music, is a noteworthy circumstance, as the local influence of 
such foundations on the music of the future can scarcely be 
over estimated. 
In respect to Literature and Art generally, one other matter 
may be referred to. In biographies of eminent self-made men we 
meet with many cases in which, although success was eventually 
attained, the first efforts of genius were all but blighted by 
adverse circumstances. So infinitely narrow indeed has been the 
line between success and failure, it is safe to conclude that in 
many an instance these efforts have been altogether crushed, and 
the world consequently left so much the poorer by the loss of what 
might have been. It is pleasant, therefore, to think that in these 
favoured countries the education which is common to all cannot 
fail to discover and develop genius wherever it may lie hidden, 
and that neither “ Poverty’s unconquerable bar,” nor other 
adverse influence, will keep in obscurity anyone gifted with 
exceptional abilities. 
In fine, in these early days of Australasia’s existence we may 
perhaps, with little stretch of imagination, regard the present 
generation of standing at the fountain-head of a great and 
enlightened nation. And if, without neglect of other and possibly 
sterner duties, we can, by means of such associations as this and 
otherwise, contribute to that fountain some tincture, some element 
calculated to still further promote and strengthen in the national 
character of the future that love of Literature and Art which 
refines manners, removes vulgar asperities, and makes life better 
worth living, then I think we shall be performing a duty clearly 
required of us, and shal] be casting bread upon the waters, to be 
found haply after many days, if not by ourselves, at least by our 
successors, 
