10 TRANSACTIONS, 1 879-8. 



Althongh the lectures were held in Temperance Hall, 

 yet the whilom Assistant-Librarian was not infinenced much 



thereby, for it is recorded that " in consideration of 's 



promises to keep sober he be allowed to continue on trial." 



In May, 1856, arrangements were made with the Gas 

 Company for lighting the rooms. And in August of the same 

 year it was resolved to change the name Bytown in the title of 

 the Institute to Ottawa. At the same meeting (August) Dr. J. 

 A. Grant became Curator, succeeding Elkanah Billings, the 

 noted geologist, who removed to Montreal. 



By a resolution of the Trustees all religious papers were 

 excluded from the reading-room, except as donations. 



On April 7th, 1858, we find for the first time the money 

 recorded in dollars, instead of pounds, shillings and pence as 

 heretofore. 



On March ist, 1863, the Institute moved its quarters to 

 the two upper flats of the premises of Geo. Hay, lot 26, south 

 side of Sparks street. 



From its inception, the Institute did useful work and 

 exerted a beneficial inffuence upon the community of far 

 reaching effect. From it man}- rivulets of thought and action 

 were born, which, with increasing years gained in strength, 

 and bestowed manifold benefits on the community. There 

 can be but little doubt that the Institute played a not unim- 

 portant part in the development of Ottawa. The names of 

 those who especially identified themselves with the Institute 

 are shown in the appended list of officers. 



By an Act of Legislature the Mechanics' Institute and 

 Athenaeum and Natural History Society were incorporated 

 December 24th, 1869, as the Ottawa Literary and Scientific 

 Society. 



natural history Society of Ottawa. 



From the minutes of this Society we find that it was 

 formed to " develop the Natural History of the Ottawa, and 

 general resources of the surrounding country." 



A constitution and by-laws were adopted on October 3rd, 

 1863, and the Society entered upon an active career. At 

 first monthly, and later, bi-monthly meetings were held, 

 lectures were given and natural history specimens collected 

 on the monthly Saturday excursions during the sumrner 



