ANNUAL MEETING. 9 



[The Hon. Secretary (Captain Francis Petrie, F.G.S.) referred 

 to the unavoidable absence of the Lord Chancellor and Dr. Naville, 

 the author of the Address ; the latter finding that his duties on 

 his return from Egypt detained him in Geneva, asked that the Rev. 

 Dr. W. Wright might be permitted to read the Address for him. 

 As regards the Report, the Hon. Secretary alluded to only four 

 " members " having retired during the year, a sufficient proof, if 

 any were wanting, of the loyalty, he might say enthusiasm, 

 which inspired the members for the cause of the Institute : an 

 enthusiasm which, during the 21 years he had acted as the 

 Institute's Honorary Secretary, had helped to raise the number 

 of its adherents from 201 to its present total of 1,400 supporters ; 

 and of which there were found many other indications, among 

 these being the translation and publication by various members, 

 of Papers in the Journal into the language of the countries in 

 which they resided ; the foundation by members in the United 

 States of a special Society, on the exact lines of the Institute, for 

 their own vast and splendid land, whilst at the same time they 

 continued their support as members of the Victoria Institute.] 



Sir Joseph Fayrer, K.C.S.I., F.R.S. — I have been somewhat 

 unexpectedly called upon to take the place that would have been 

 much better occupied by the distinguished Vice-President, who is 

 prevented, by important duties, from being present here to-night. 

 I regret that it should be so, but am confident that even he cannot 

 take more interest in the Institute than I do. I have that qualifi- 

 cation at least for asking you to accept the Report just read. It 

 is very gi'atifying and satisfactory to find the progress of the 

 Institute so steady and sure, and its work spreading all over 

 the world. Its principles are such as should be acceptable 

 to reasonable persons. You will observe that the Scientific 

 element predominates largely ; the President at the present 

 moment holding a most distinguished position in the scientific 

 world, and until lately President of the Royal Society. That, 

 at all events, goes far to show that the Scientific aim and 

 tendencies of the Institution are not to be despised. You know 

 the objects of the Institute so well that it is not necessary to re- 

 state them to you. I have heard of some who described one of its 

 objects as the reconciliation of Science with Religion. Now, 

 Religion and Science need no reconciliation. (Cheers.) It is 

 peifectly probable — nay, more than probable that men frequently 



