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view of its re-organization and enlargement wliicli are 

 now only delayed by the want of a suitable building. 

 Tlie Members of the Society feel confident that 

 Your Excellency who, from his youth has given proof 

 of his love of study, and who has long since distin- 

 guished himself in literature will not be indifferent to 

 the progress of Science, Art, History and Literature in 

 Mauritius, and they have the honor to beg of your 

 Excellency to be pleased to consent to be the Patron 

 of the Society during Your stay in Mauritius. 



Port Louis, Mauritius, 

 18th April 1879. 



(Signed) V. NAZ, 



President. 



EEPLY 



Gentlemen, 



I have listened with much gratification to the 

 Address which has just been read, and I accept with 

 pride the honor which you so kindly offer me, that of 

 Patron of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences of 

 Mauritius. 



Throughout a long and active career in the service 

 of our Queen and country, I have always devoted to 

 literature much of that portion of my time which could 

 be spared from public duties. Many of you, gentle- 

 man, must have, like me, realized in their personal 

 esperieijce the truth of those famous words of Cicero 

 in his speech for his friend, the Poet Archias : " Nam 



