THE ROUTE OF THE EXODUS. 31 



deliverance ; operating together on the side of the Israelites. 

 This does not in the slightest particular lessen our faith in the 

 supernatural, but it raises us to a higher platform, if I may say 

 so, in our contemplation of natural laws. God is pleased for His 

 purposes to use natural laws as He wills, and as seemeth to Him 

 good, in the accomplishment of His ends. It has been a great 

 treat to me to be present to-night, and to hear this most interesting 

 Paper. I have followed for years past the work of the Institute, 

 though it has not been my privilege, owing to my residence being 

 so far away from the metropolis, often to be present at its meetings. 

 It was founded through the instrumentality of some who have 

 been gathered to their rest. One of these was a Cambridge friend 

 of mine, the Rev. Walter Mitchell — a man of thorough scientific 

 bent and culture himself. I may say an original investigator in 

 one province, viz., that of crystallography, and I remember the 

 deep interest which he felt in this Society. I trust it will 

 continue to prosper. (Cheers.) 



Sir John Coode, K.C.M.G-. (the late). — I, like the Bishop who 

 has preceded me, feel honoured in being called upon to second the 

 resolution " That our best thanks be presented to Doctor Naville 

 for the Annual Address now delivered, to Dr. Wright for reading 

 it, and to those who have given Papers during the Session." 

 Perhaps without simply contenting myself with barely seconding 

 the resolution, I may be permitted to say a word or two. 



In 1884 I happened to be nominated by Her Majesty's Govern- 

 ment as one of the representatives of Great Britain to inquire into 

 the question of the enlargement of the Suez Canal, that is to say, 

 whether there should be an enlargement of the Canal or whether 

 there should be an entirely separate canal from the Isthmus. 

 At that time Professor Hull, who is referred to in this Paper, 

 had written an essay on this very subject, and had given 

 expression to the opinion that the Red Sea, at the time of the 

 crossing by the Israelites, did extend very much further to the 

 north than in our day. My mind was very full of that subject, 

 because I had not very long before been to Suez and been told, 

 like all other travellers at that time, that it was just about south 

 of Suez where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. That, I must 

 say, was rather difficult to believe. I was prepared to believe 

 in miracles, but when Professor Hull's Paper was brought out 

 indicating >hat the scripture narrative would be made much clearer 



