MAR 17 1896 
PROC EEL LN Gas 
OF THE 
Mote PPPS POAT Ye SOer EP ¥, 
SESSION CXXIV. 
Wednesday, 21st November 1894.—Professor H. ALLEYNE 
Nicuotson, F.LS., F.G.S., retiring President, in the 
Chair, 
The retiring President delivered the following opening 
address :— 
GENTLEMEN,—Three years ago the Society did me the 
great honour of placing me in the Chair. I felt grave 
doubts at the time as to the propriety of my accepting this 
honour, knowing that it would not be possible for me—if 
from geographical causes only—to take as active a part 
in the work of the Society as I ought to do. I cannot 
say that these doubts have been removed in course of time; 
but I must ask you to believe that I have always taken the 
warmest interest in the progress and success of the Society, 
and that my shortcomings, however great, have largely 
depended upon causes beyond my control. 
I had hoped on the present occasion to have laid before 
you something that might in some degree have justified your 
choice of me as President. I greatly regret to say, however, 
that, owing in part to a prolonged illness, and in part to the 
heavy pressure of official duties, I have not found it possible 
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