for the year 1879. xiii 



Our relations with foreign societies of a kindred nature 

 are extending every year, and the library has been so much 

 increased by exchanges and donations, that more shelf -room 

 is urgently required. 



This brings me to the subject of the proposed alterations 

 in the internal arrangements of the building, to which I 

 made reference in my last address. The proposal then made 

 —to continue the floor of the library across this room, on 

 the level of the cornice, which would give us a lecture-room 

 on the same floor as the library, and two good rooms on 

 this floor underneath it — is now generally approved of by 

 the Council, and Mr. Keed has been requested to ascertain 

 the cost of carrying this plan out. If such an alteration 

 should be made, it is probable that one of the lower rooms 

 would be devoted exclusively to the library. It is now 

 absolutely necessary that the exterior of the building should 

 be put into a somewhat more sightly habiliment, and the 

 Council is taking steps with the view of getting this done, 

 as well as the interior alterations. 



The financial position of the Society continues satisfactory, 

 and with the aid of the annual subsidy of £200 for printing 

 our transactions, so liberally granted by Parliament, we have 

 been able to keep up prompt publication of the Society's 

 proceedings, while the ordinary revenue has been carefully 

 nursed for the repair and alterations of the building, the 

 urgent necessity for which has been continually pressing on 

 your Council. It is hoped that these repairs may be accom- 

 plished without incurring debt, but the time has arrived 

 when they can be no longer delayed, whether it should be- 

 come necessary to borrow money to carry them out or not. 



I must not detain you longer with the domestic affairs of 

 the Society, but will invite your attention to a few matters 

 of general interest and importance which characterise the 

 past year's advance in knowledge. 



In a retrospect of the progress made in astronomical and 

 physical science since our last gathering I may be excused 

 for giving the doings of our Observatory my first attention ; 



A 



