16 PKOF. E. HULLj LL.l)., F.K.S., ON OUR COAL RESERVES 



with foreign countries and encourage tlie import of 

 coal from America and other coal-producing 

 countries. 



There may be other subjects which a Royal Commission 

 might see fit to investigate, but the above appear to be the 

 most evident, and worthy of attention. For myself, I 

 consider that such a commission ought to be constituted in 

 the near future. Its investigations cannot fail to be 

 of interest, and may prove of the greatest importance to the 

 whole community. 



And now, before I conclude, I must add a few words 

 regarding the Society Avhose anniversary we are here 

 assembled to commemorate. The Victoria Institute has 

 well maintained its position as a means for diffusing know- 

 ledge of very wide scope, and calculated to interest, not 

 only the general public, but the specialist in various branches 

 of science and literature. In the forthcoming volume of 

 Transactions will be found papers dealing with physical and 

 biological subjects ; with those touching on historical, mental, 

 and moral aspects of man and aj)pealing to our most sacred 

 affiections and beliefs ; Avhile, lastly, there are those of a more 

 purely scientific character. The discussions, also, are often 

 of great interest, and their publication with the papers aiford 

 opportunities for those living in distant countries, or unable 

 to attend the meetings, to make known their views on the 

 questions raised by the authors of the papers. For these 

 reasons the Institute seems to occupy a position of value, 

 and supplies a want amongst the learned societies of the 

 Kingdom ; and we would welcome additional Members and 

 Associates, as well as fresh communications of a nature 

 embraced within the scope of our objects. 



Discussion. 



The Rev. Canon Giedlestone, M.A. — It has been assigned to 

 me to propose a vote of thanks to Professor Hull for liis most 

 instructive adth-ess : — 



We are all interested in the subject of coal, even although we 

 are rather at this time suffering from too much heat. I don't 

 know how far Professor Hull's address will influence the coal 



