330 Canadian Record of Science. 



Though the work the sections can hardly be said to 

 have been fairly divided, some members contributing much 

 more than others, while of a certain number the names 

 have been conspicuous by their absence from the yearly 

 programmes ; it may, on the whole, be said that the pro- 

 mise of the opening session has been fulfilled in the succes- 

 sive meetings of the last eight years. In their chosen 

 branches of study and research, all the four sections have 

 added not a little to the sum of the world's knowledge, and 

 if this total be enlarged by the aggregate of work done by 

 the affiliated societies, the whole makes an intellectual pro- 

 duct of which the Dominion has no reason to be ashamed. 



The points most criticized in the constitution of the 

 Society were the combination of science and literature and 

 its bi-lingual character. As to the former, the first Presi- 

 dent took occasion, in the address already quoted from, to 

 show that, instead of being a drawback, it was an advantage. 

 Afier indicating the close relations between the two depart- 

 ments of intellectual effort, he thus expressed his satisfac- 

 tion at the Society's comprehensiveness : — " For these rea- 

 sons I rejoice that our Society embraces both science and 

 letters, and I am profoundly convinced that it is for the 

 highest interest of Canada that her scientific men shall be 

 men of culture, and that her literary men shall be thoroughly 

 imbued with scientific knowledge and scientific habits of 

 thought." In a paper read before the Society on the' rela- 

 tion of such bodies to the State, the late Dr. Todd showed 

 that New South Wales had anticipated Canada by forming 

 a Royal Society on the like broad basis, its avowed object 

 being " the encouragement of studies and investigations in 

 science, art, literature and philosophy." Lord Lansdowne 

 also expressed his satisfaction at its twofold division, which, 

 he said, greatly enhanced the interest and value of the 

 Transactions. 



As to the other point which was the subject of discus- 

 sion — the union of French and English-speaking members — 



