ADDEESS OF THE PRESIDENT, 



MR. EDWARD W. BADGER^ 



DELIVERED AT THE AXNUAL MEETING, FEBRUARY 7tH, 1882. 



When by yoiu* generous suffrages I was elected President of 

 this Society, I did all I could to induce you to reconsider your 

 decision and elect some one in my stead to occupy the chair, 

 which has in former years been filled so satisfactorily by many 

 of om- worthiest members. I told you frankly that I saw before 

 me in the then coming year such demands on my time by 

 engagements of a private and public nature to which I was 

 ah-eady pledged, that I felt nearly certain I should be unable to 

 take a proper part in the work of the Society. I regret now 

 that I did not decline the honour you did me ; for the year 

 which has elapsed since 1 was elected has proved even a busier 

 one than I anticipated, and the consequence has been that I 

 have been President in name only : the duties of the office 

 have had to be performed by others, and chiefly by my kind 

 friend, our senior Vice-president, Mr. Levick. To him I here 

 publicly tender my heartiest thanks for all his valuable help, 

 and I feel sure you will agree with me when I say that he has 

 left nothing undone to advance the interests of the Society. 

 For my own short-comings I offer you my sincere apologies, and 

 I can assure you that nothing but the absolute want of time has 

 prevented me from at least endeavouring to show how much I 

 have had the welfare of the Society at heart. 



In following the precedent of long-established usage on 

 vacating the honourable position of President and delivering a 

 few parting words to you, I have decided not to attempt any- 

 thing in the nature of a scientific address, but with your kind 

 indulgence shall occupy the short time at my disposal with a 

 few general observations on the work of such societies as ours, 



