0j|al ^0neig d Widoxm. 



ANNIVERSAHY ADDRESS 



THE REV. J. J. BLEASDALE D.D. 



[Delivered to the Members of the Royal Society, at the Anniversary Meeting, 

 held on the 4th May, 1865.] 



Gentlemen, 



It has ever been the custom of this Society 

 for the President to deliver an address to the members at 

 the commencement of his year of office. In taking my place 

 this evening among you in the most honorable position to 

 which you could raise me, the more honorable for the great 

 men who have preceded me in it, I feel that many duties 

 commensurate therewith have devolved upon me, and which 

 I hope to be able to fulfil during this year, under the bles- 

 sing of Providence, and with your earnest and generous 

 co-operation. 



Before entering upon a brief review of the labours of the 

 Boyal Society during the past year, and the advances made 

 by science in the several departments whose objects we 

 embrace, I wiU at the outset invite your attention for a 

 moment to a subject which closely interests us aU, viz., the 

 present position and prospects of the Royal Society itself. 



