71 



and as trnthfully may I congratulate you on the state of the Society, 

 on the solidity of our present position, and on the brightness of 

 our future prospects : we have published largely, and met with a 

 most encouraging sale; the number of oiu- members has increased; 

 our exchequer is full ; our debts are paid. Heartily wishing that this 

 prosperity may continue, that every success may attend our united 

 and harmonious labours on behalf both of the Science and the 

 Society, I now retire from that important office with which you have 

 entrusted me, deeply feeling that no thanks of mine can make you an 

 adequate return for the kindness with which you have invariably re- 

 ceived me, and carrying with me into obscurity the most pleasurable 

 recollections of my brief tenure of authority. 



