462 Proceedings. 
was reconstituted in November last, and is intended to co-operate and work 
harmoniously with this Institute and similar societies to be established in the 
colony. Let us hope that its future career may be more prosperous than 
its past, and that we may run a friendly race with it and other similar 
institutions that may enter on the same course, in our endeavours to 
render the most important services to the cause we have undertaken to 
promote. 
But, on the other hand, we may well take courage when we look back to 
the beginning of the most eminent and flourishing institutions of the present 
day. With hardly an exception, I believe, it may be affirmed that the begin- 
nings have been small—of some, small even in comparison with our own. 
The splendid results have, it is said, been achieved, “not by the favour of 
the many, but by the wisdom and energy of the few.” The Royal Society 
of England owes its origin to a small club, and its title to an accidental 
circumstance. The first meetings in London were held in a tavern, subse- 
quently at a private house, and afterwards in the parlour of Gresham 
College. It received its name soon after the Restoration, when everybody 
went mad with loyalty—a name not appropriate to its objects, but compli- 
mentary to His Majesty King Charles II. The French Academy was 
equally humble in its origin. A few literate residents in Paris arranged to 
meet once a week for the friendly interchange of ideas. For many years 
the Academy continued to be but an insignificant private society : it shines 
forth now as one of the most illustrious institutions of the age. But 
notwithstanding these encouraging examples, I am impressed rather with 
wavering hope than with belief. I cannot forget that though the beginnings 
of the splendid institutions to which I have referred were indeed but small, 
. yet the assistance of men of genius, capable of giving life, strength, and 
repute to the early efforts of the founders, was earnestly given. Where are 
we to look for such men in the youthful colony of New Zealand ? 
That this colony will grow rapidly in wealth and strength, and will 
eventually become a great nation, I do most firmly believe—it possesses all 
the elements for such a destiny. That the New Zealand Institute, with its 
incorporated societies, may keep pace, and in future ages become to New 
Zealand what the Royal Society is to England and the French Academy is 
to France, is the very utmost that we can ever hope for; and if such 
should ever be, the most sanguine expectations that may now be reasonably 
entertained would be fully realized. Many, very many generations must 
pass away before this can come to pass; but it may, and let us trust that 
it will. 
For the present our duty is plain: we have ventured to lay foundations, 
| LLLI the pointure as mA hA within our power. It 
