84 «iN?fDAL MEETING. 



— ill arranging- as to the last named, the late Emperor of 

 Brazil (who was a member and possessed a complete set of the 

 Institute's Transactions) was one who took a special interest. 

 In regard to the value of such translations in China, the Arch- 

 deacon of Mid-China — Avho has been an earnest supporter of 

 the Institute for twenty-seven years — after describing the 

 clianges coming over China at the present time, and the thirst 

 thoro for modern books on scientific and other subjects, says: — 

 "What better books can we place in the hands of these eager 

 Chhiese than the TranKactions or extracts from the Transac- 

 tions of our Institute ? I have great hopes in this direction. 

 I shall certainly sr,ggest that some of the most valuable 

 works to be translated into that language would be the 

 Victoria Institute Papers. I thank God for this Institute ; 

 may it live long and prosper."* 



13. Lectures. 



Members, at home and abroad, use the papers in the 

 Journal as lectures, or as the basis of such, and amongst the 

 extensive correspondence received are applications for in- 

 formation of all kinds in regard to subjects upon which 

 members find it desirable to arrange for local lectures. 



* On Some Uses made of the Institute by its Members. — Many 111611)1)618 

 hav6 found that their connexion with the Institute has proved more than a mere 

 personal advantage to themselves ; as they have realised that the Institute met 

 a need felt both at home and abroad, especially in our Colonies and India, where 

 the want of the true appreciation of the actual results of scientific enquiry has 

 led many, especially the less informed, to credit such statements as that " Science 

 and Philosophy were alike opposed to Revelation," and that " the progress of 

 Science has given a death-blow to all belief in the truth of the Bible." (As one 

 result of tbis the Bible is a forbidden Book in more than one Board School at home 

 and in our Colonies.) Numerous Members have sought to make use of the 

 Institute's investigations to dispel such erroneous ideas as those referred to, by 

 using the papers in the Journal— I. as lectures, or to lecture from in their 

 respective localities, and have often corresponded with the Institute as to the 

 preparation of such lectures ; II. by translating papers and publishing such 

 translations (this in many countries) ; III. by using their influence in their 

 respective localities to secure that local libraries and institutions should subscribe 

 -for the Journal, thus bringing its pages before a still wider circle of readers; 

 IV. by interesting others in its proceedings,— and in many other ways. The 

 Council trust the foregoing plans may be even more generally adopted by 

 Members, 



