PREFACE. x1 
Sovereigns. But we particularly rejoice to believe that the humblest and 
the poorest classes in these dominions may identify Your Majesty’s reign 
with a sensible diminution of ignorance, poverty, and suffering during the 
half-century that has elapsed since Your Majesty ascended the Throne, and 
that they may gratefully remember that every good and kindly movement 
for the improvement of your people, and the greater Glory of God, has 
received the gracious impulse of Your Majesty’s sympathy and support. 
We desire to assure Your Majesty of our dutiful and affectionate attach- 
ment to Your Majesty’s person, and our loyalty to the Throne, and we 
earnestly pray that Your Majesty may be long spared to promote the happi- 
ness and receive the grateful homage of Your Majesty’s subjects. 
Signed on behalf of the Institute, 
G. G. Stoxss, P.R.S., President. 
F. W. H. Perris, Hon. Secretary. 
7, Adelphi Terrace, Charing Cross, 
London, 16 July, 1887. 
REPLY. 
W HITEHALL, 
20 July, 1887. 
Sir, 
I have had the honour to lay before the Queen the loyal and dutiful 
address of the President, Council, and Members of the Victoria Institute, 
on the occasion of her Majesty attaining the Fiftieth year of her Reign, 
and I have to inform you that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the same 
very graciously. 
I have the honour to be, Sir, 
Your obedient Servant, 
Henry MatrtrHews. 
The President of The Victoria Institute, 
7, Adelphi Terrace, Charing Cross. 
The 20th Volume of the Journal of Transactions was also 
laid before Her Majesty by Sir Henry Ponsonby. 
The want of a true appreciation of the actual results of 
scientific inquiry has often led men to urge that there is an 
opposition between Science and Revelation ; and of late some 
have specially done so in regard to the record of the Creation, 
with reference to which the following words were recently 
uttered by a Member of the Institute, Professor J. D. Dana, 
F.R.S., they but echo the views expressed by many another 
scientific leader, and are worthy of record:—‘*To me the 
lst Chapter of Genesis is greatly illuminated by the revela- 
tions which Science has made. I see nothing in modern 
