ANNUAL MEETING. 253 



[Letters expi*essing regret at not being able to be present at this 

 meeting were received fi-om several, especially the Right Hon. 

 the Lord Chancellor, who had ai'ranged to move the vote of 

 thanks " to the author of the Address, and those who had read 

 papers and communications during the session," but was detained 

 at the House of Lords, having to preside at an important debate 

 then proceeding.] 



Sir Charles Gordon, K.C.B. — The resolution I have the honour 

 to propose is one that requires neither explanation nor comment. 

 It is " That the Report be received and that the thanks of the 

 Members and Associates bo presented to the Council, Hon. Officers, 

 and Auditors for their efficient conduct of the business of the 

 Victoria Institute during the year." 



Alexander McAethur, Esq., D.L., J.P. — The time at our dis- 

 posal this evening is short ; and as we are all anxious to hear 

 the President's Address, I will simply say that I have great 

 pleasure in seconding this resolution. 



[The resolution was then put to the Meeting and carried iieni. 

 con.'\ 



The Ven. R. Thornton, D.D,, V.P. (Archdeacon of Middlesex). — 

 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : I feel very thankful that 

 the work of the Council has been so kindly received by you. I am 

 sure the Council, of which I fear I am almost an unworking 

 member, deserve your most sincere thanks, because they have been 

 very diligent indeed in transacting the affairs of the Institute, 

 which under our excellent President and our active and valuable 

 Hon. Secretary (Captain P. Petrie), has really attained a rank 

 amongst scientific societies which is by no means to be despised. 



I feel the greater interest in this Society, being one of its earliest 

 members.* I am extremely obliged to you for the way in which you 

 have received the vote of thanks to the Council, and I can assure 

 you, on behalf of the Council, that yve shall continue to do our 

 work, with undiminished vigour and with extreme gratitude to you 

 for your kind vote. (Applause.) 



The Piesident then delivered the following address : — 



* The Ven. Archdeacon Tliorntou, Vice-President, and Captain 

 Francis Petrie, the Hon. Secretary, are the only members now living of 

 the original Committee which drew uji the Institute's charter in 1865. 



