l8 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 



As regards the second set of objects of our Association, and to 

 which we must now turn, viz., the formation of a Museum, Library 

 and Art Gallery, I shall not say much, as my predecessor, Mr. 

 Alexander, has already in a paper on Museums very exhaustively 

 dealt with that phase, still we must not lose sight of the fact that we 

 certainly have a good nucleus for a public museum, of which we are 

 justly proud, but we need larger quarters so that our collections can 

 be better displayed and more use made of them, and our museum 

 be all the more attractive to visitors. 



The Library feature is not so incumbent upon us, as the Public 

 Library fills in a great measure the want so long felt. But here, 

 also, I would refer to a mine of wealth in our possession that has 

 been too much neglected; I mean our valuable collection of Trans- 

 actions that are so well worthy of perusal. We receive publications 

 from 122 societies in all parts of the world, so I think we should no 

 longer delay in making arrangements for a systematic use of them. 



The Art Gallery feature, though in a great measure lost sight of 

 by us, is, I am happy to say, being looked after by other institutions 

 in the city. 



The last group of objects to which our attention is directed, 

 viz., the illustration of the Physical Characteristics, Natural History 

 and Antiquities of the country has been to a great measure under- 

 taken by our Geological and Biological Sections, and it is proposed 

 to estabhsh an Archaeological Section, which will utilize our by no 

 means small collection of antiquities. 



Let us now see how we can best carry out these laudable 

 objects to which I have alluded, and for this purpose I have inti- 

 mated that we have two special classes of meetings — our general 

 monthly and the several section meetings, the former being intended 

 to be of more general interest, though not, perhaps, of such practical 

 value. 



The section meetings are intended to be the really practical 

 working ones, and although they have done a great deal of valuable 

 work, there is a wide field before them. Our old Constitution pro- 

 vided for seven sections, but at present we have only three really 

 active ones, viz., the Geological, Biological and Camera Sections, to 

 all of which we are much indebted. But here I would offer a word 

 of caution, and that is that there is too much disposition in. each 



