WILLIAM SIEAfENS, F.R.S. 125 



judicious combination of natural science with practical experience, 

 and by attention to tbe progress in metallurgical processes effected 

 in other countries. He thus implanted upon this Institute a 

 vitality which has resulted in a rapid increase of its members, and 

 a career of usefulness such as scarcely any other society for the 

 promotion of applied science can boast of. 



With regard to the progress of the Institute, in the numerical 

 strength of its membership, the number has risen from 292 in 

 1869, to 9GO in 1876, and the proposals of candidates coming in 

 show that the interest in the Society has not abated. This 

 numerical progress, however, cannot be expected to continue, 

 because the Institute has now arrived at a point where it counts 

 among its members those gentlemen who can best aid us in the 

 objects we have in view, and it can thus afford to restrict the 

 privilege of membership to candidates, who by their previous 

 training, and actual position, have qualified themselves to join 

 profitably in our discussions. 



During last year, as the report shows, meetings were held in 

 London and Leeds, at which numerous papers were brought before 

 you regarding subjects of considerable interest, and which gave 

 rise to important discussions. 



But besides the reading and discussion of papers, there has been 

 much other useful work done by the Institute ; I refer to the 

 special committees that have on various occasions been appointed 

 by the Council for the purpose of investigating questions of 

 importance relative to the production of iron and steel, and the 

 interest evinced in those special enquiries proves how much more 

 may yet be accomplished by more systematic organisation for the 

 attainment of similar objects. 



Another branch of useful action of this Institute has been to 

 place before the members, through its Journal, the latest results 

 obtained in other countries, which work was ably performed by 

 our late Foreign Secretary, Mr. David Forbes, F.R.S. The death 

 of this distinguished gentleman must be a matter of deep regret to 

 every member of the Institute. 



Out of our still young society has grown another the British 

 Iron Trade Association which, under the able presidency of Mr. 

 Geo. T. Clark, already gives promise of useful results in supplying 

 us with reliable statistics regarding the extent and progress of the 



