of 



( Bead May 20th, 1904.) 



N welcoming you here to-day, my pleasure is mingled 

 with regret that, owing to circumstances with 

 which you are already doubtless familiar, I shall 

 not have the honour again of addressing you as 

 your President ; but I hope that I may be still 

 spared to take a lively interest in your proceed- 

 ings and to support your new President in every 

 way in my power. I do not look upon this, 

 therefore, as a farewell meeting between us, but simply as a 

 change from duties which I had some difficulty in satisfactorily 

 performing to ties of a lighter and less burdensome nature. At 

 the same time I cannot quit my present position without 

 thanking all. the officers and members of the Club for the kind 

 support they have invariably extended to me during my two 

 vears of office, and for the very flattering reception that they 

 have accorded to my public utterances from this chair. Science 

 during the past year, notwithstanding the wars and rumours of 

 war that have unfortunately occupied public attention, continues 

 to progress and to point the way towards that higher and 



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