1880.] TRANSACTIONS. 57 



inind among all the statesmen hitherto produced in onr Republic; 

 boldly declared that " Error may lie safely tolerated, so long 

 as Reason is left fi"ee to combat it " In the informal discus- 

 sions among our Members there must, of necessity, be much 

 crndit}^ of thought and even more incertitude or inelegance of 

 statement. Sometimes they are weighted down to bathos by 

 ponderous expression ; and then again they provoke to levity, 

 even as the sparks fly upward. But, throughout all, is current 

 the clear stream of Truth ; now diverted ; at times obstructed ; 

 occasionally roiled for the wolf by the lamb at the fountain- 

 head ; nevertheless rippling over the rocks, sparkling in the 

 sunlight as it eddies along, swelling always in its course and 

 finally merged in the ocean of serene and undisputed faith. We 

 could not anticipate and did not secure unanimity ; but curiosity 

 was appeased ; utter ignorance inforuied, or put upon inquiry ; 

 and the average will or craving for instruction satisfied by such 

 a harvest of experience as is seldom thi-eshed out from similar 

 sheaves. 



The largest measure of credit attaching to the inception and 

 prosperous conduct of that series of meetings belongs to Vice- 

 President Hadwen. He was indefatigable in his efforts to procure 

 essayists of knowledge and worth ; scouring the State in the 

 search for them ; allowiiig them no respite until they consented 

 to his request; and seldom, even then, relaxing his grip until he 

 had seen them fairly inside the Hall of Flora. Without his 

 earnest co-operation, it is not too much to assert that the whole 

 effort must have measurably failed. This tj-ibute to his efficiency 

 and zeal is but just. And it is paid, all the more heartily, that 

 justice is not always awarded in this world ; — and he might not 

 elect to await it — hereafter ! 



Throughout the entire period of time, occupied by those Essays 

 and Discussions, mind and body were alike active and usefully 

 employed. And baby hands, or feet, as your Secretary can 

 gratefully attest, bore witness during the wintry days to the deft 

 skill of the nimble lingers that had kindly supplied their tiny 

 covering. The hum of the spinning-wheel, in our households, 

 may be hushed forever. But the Knitting-Needle ! fit emblem 



