PREFACE. 



THE lamented death of the late Hon. Secretary, Captain 

 Petrie, who entered into his rest on Saturday, 21st July, 

 has made it necessary for other hands than his to prepare 

 for publication the accompanying volume, No. XXXII, of 

 the Transactions, which it is hoped will be found not less 

 interesting and instructive than those which have preceded 

 it. By the sad event above referred to, the Victoria 

 Institute has lost the services of one to whom its present 

 prosperous condition and useful career are largely due ; and 

 on the occasion of the Anniversary Meeting of the Institute 

 Qn Monday, the 16th Jul}^, while Captain Petrie was lying 

 on what proved to be his death-bed, the President, Sir 

 G. G. Stokes, and one of the Vice-Presidents, Sir Joseph 

 Fayrer, both took occasion to bear warm and eloquent 

 testimony to the value of his services to the Institute. 

 Subsequently, at the first meeting of the Council, at which 

 Commander G. P. Heath presided, the following resolution 

 was adopted : — 



" The Council at their Meeting on Monday, July 23rd, have 

 to express their sincere sorrow at the decease of the Hon. 

 Secretary, Captain Francis Petrie, who for a period of over 

 thirty years conducted the affairs of the Institute with great 

 judgment and unfailing courtesy ; and they desire to offer 

 their respectful condolence to Mrs. Petrie and family." 

 (Signed) G. P. Heath, Chairman. 



Edward Hull, Hon. Treasurer. 



