462 JProceedings. 



was reconstituted in November last, and is intended to co-operate and work 

 Itarmoniously with -this Institute and similar societies to be establisbed in the 

 colony. Let us hope that its future career may be more prosperous than 

 its past, and that we may run a friendly race with it and other similar 

 institutions that may enter on the same course, in our endeavours to 

 render the most important services to the cause we have undertaken to 

 promote. 



But, on the other hand, we may well take courage when vv^e look back to 

 the beginning of the most eminent and flourishing institutions of the present 

 day. With hardly an exception, I believe, it may be affirmed that the begin- 

 nings have been small — of some, small even in comparison with our own. 

 The splendid results have, it is said, been achieved, " not by the favour of 

 the many, but by the wisdom and energy of the few." The Royal Society 

 of England owes' its origin to a small club, and its title to an accidental 

 circunistance. The first meetings in London were held in a tavern, subse- 

 quently at a private house, and afterwards in the parlour of Grresham 

 College. It received its name soon after the Restoration, when everybody 

 went mad with loyalty — a name not appropriate to its objects, but compli- 

 mentary to His Majesty King Charles II. The French Academy was 

 equally humble in its origin. A few literate residents in Paris arranged to 

 meet once a week for the friendly interchange of ideas. Eor many years 

 the Academy continued to be but an insignificant private society : it shines 

 forth now as one of the most illustrious institutions of the age. But 

 notwithstanding these encouraging examples, I am impressed rather with 

 wavering hope than with belief. I cannot forget that though the beginnings 

 of the splendid institutions to which I have referred were indeed but small, 

 yet the assistance of men of genius, capable of giving life, strength, and 

 repute to the early efforts of the founders, v.^as earnestly given. "Where are 

 we to look for such men in the youthful colony of I-Tew Zealand ? 



That this colony will grow rapidly in wealth and strength, and will 

 eventually become a grea^t nation, I do most firmly believe — it possesses all 

 the elements for such a destiny. That the New Zealand Institute, with its 

 incorporated societies, may keep pace, and in future ages become to New 

 Zealand what the Eoyal Society is to England and the French Academy is 

 to France, is the very utmost that we can ever hope for ; and if such 

 should ever be, the most sanguine expectations that may now be reasonably 

 entertained would be fully realized. Many, very many generations must 

 pass away before this can come to pass ; but it may, and let us trust that 

 it will. 



For the present our duty is plain : we have ventured to lay foundations, 

 let us add so much of the superstructure as may be within our power. It 



