SOUTH AFRICAN 



QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



SECOND SERIES. 



No. 4. JULY— SEPTEMBER, 1834. Part le 



ANNUAL REPORT 

 Of the Council of the South African Literary and Scientific 

 Institution, for 1833 — 34, read at the General Meeting 

 on the 2nd of August. 



On account of the departure of Dr. Smith, one of our Secre- 

 taries, close upon the period fixed by the Regulations for con- 

 vening the Annual General Meeting of this Institution, and 

 on account of the leisure and attention of many members of 

 the Council being occupied in preparations of various lands 

 for that event, it has been found necessary to defer CQiiVoking 

 the members till this day. .The Council requesting the indul- 

 gence of the members for this deviation from its rules, woufd 

 respectfully submit to them, as the Report of the Institution, 

 the following review of the few transactions in which it has 

 been engaged during the past year ; 



First, As to the business, generally, of the Institution, and 

 its present condition and prospects : — The Council has to re- 

 marjc, that during the year now elapsed an attempt was again 

 made to increase the attendance of members at the Monthly 

 Meetings of the Institution, by changing the hour, but that no 

 perceptible advantage has attended it. 



The Institution has always contemplated a two-fold purpose, 

 both capable of exerting extended influence on the condition 

 and progress of society. The first of these is the gathering 

 and spreading o^ information, and aiding or fostering the 

 facilities by which it may be acquired and rendered useful. 

 To this purpose, especially, is the system of public meetings at 

 stated times applicable and subservient, either by attracting in- 

 formation from those of the surrounding community, who 

 possess it, or by the increase or confirmation of individual 

 knowledge, which arises frorn mutual communication. Its 

 fulfilment depends evidently on the activity, zeal, and power, 

 and the facility of research possessed by individuals, arid must 

 vary with the number of those who are thus equipped for 

 unveiling the mysteries of science, or rising to the tiiumpRir 

 of literary success. 



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