10 ANNUAL MEETING. 



misunderstand the one and misinterpret the other ; it is only by 

 patient investigation — by possessing our souls in patience, and not 

 generalising and arriving at conclusions too early that we may 

 hope to reach the truth. (Cheers.) One object of the Victoiia 

 Institute is to teach people tins. The work done and the Papers 

 read here are all calculated to serve that purpose. There is much 

 in some of those that have been before the Institute lately of 

 particular interest, and it seems to me that such is the case 

 in that which we expect to listen to to-night. It is a matter 

 for congratulation that the financial position of the Institute is 

 also satisfactory — it might be more so, and let us hope it will. 



It is a subject for great regret that we have had such severe 

 losses by death during the past year — twice the average number. 

 It is not only in the scientific progress of the Institute that 

 we may be encouraged ; it is well to know that its Journals 

 are being spread over the world, whilst some of its Papers 

 are being printed in a simple form for the less educated. 

 There is so much to do this evening, whilst others have interest- 

 ing matters to speak on, that I will not detain you any longer, 

 but move " That the Report now read be received, and that 

 the thanks of the members and associates be presented to the 

 Council, Honorary Officers, and Auditors for their efficient conduct 

 of the business of the Victoria Institute during the year." I do 

 not know whether I am out of order in doing so, but I would like 

 to refer specially to the cordial thanks due to Captain Petrie for 

 his long and constant service. (Cheers.) It is to his calm and 

 dispassionate judgment in dealing with the difficult duties that 

 are inseparable from his office and such work as comes before him, 

 that the success of this Institute is in no small degree due. 



The Ven. A. E. Moulb, B.D., Archdeacon of Mid China.— It is 

 a very great privilege and pleasure to second this resolution — not 

 that I have any special title to your attention this evening, but I 

 may claim that my interest in the Victoria Institute is as old as 

 the Institute itself. My dear father was one of its first members, 

 and he inspired me with interest in it. I remember the eagerness 

 with which he watched its birth and early years, and ever since 

 that time I have been specially interested in its progress, and 

 during the latter part of my stay in China, which now extends 

 to 30 years, I have ever looked forward to the arrival of The 

 Transactions with pleasure. 



