0pal c^0j:ittT) ot vicioxi-a. 



ANl^IVEESAEY ADDEESS 



OF 



Mr. K. L. J. Ellery, F.RS., F.RA.S., Government 

 Astronomer. 



(Delivered to the Members of the Royal Society of Victoria, at their 

 Annual Conversazione, held on Thursday, 8th August, 1878.) 



Your Excellency and Gentlemen of the 

 KoYAL Society, 



It appears to be quite probable that in framing the rules 

 of our Society that portion of the duties of president which 

 refers to the delivery of an annual address was imposed 

 principally as a check against undue pride and elation, 

 likely to be engendered by the loftiness of the position. 

 Whether such was actually the case can now only be sur- 

 mised, but, as far as I am concerned, its effect in this direction 

 is unmistakable ; for, as the time again comes round for pre- 

 paring and inflicting the prescribed punishment on a patient 

 and long-sufiering audience, ostensibly brought together for 

 a little social and intellectual enjoyment, I make a deep and 

 silent vow that the mantle and its responsibilities must find 

 other shoulders for the future. My position here to-night 

 affords another instance of how often such rash vows are 

 only made to be broken, for, in spite of my resolve last 

 year, you have again done me the honour of pushing me back 

 into the presidential chair. I take this opportunity of 



