14 President's Address. 



those who first performed the arduous feat, because the 

 whole of the concurrent circumstances are not yet fully before 

 the world — would he not have acted wisely and praise- 

 worthily if he had given such account of the lamented death 

 of Burke and Wills as his work seems to need, in the spirit 

 of Wordsworth's beautiful reflection on the doings of natui-e 

 amid ruins : — 



" Softening and concealing, 

 And busy with a hand of healing." 



Gentlemen — In concluding this brief address, which I have 

 purposely confined to the labours of the Society, and of 

 members of the Society, permit me to hope that the year on 

 which we are entering will bring out its fruits in due 

 season. 



John J. Bleasdale, D.D. 



