2 Anniversary Address. 



the utmost diffidence in my ability that I gave way to an 

 opinion expressed, that the Institute exercises a right in de- 

 manding from its members services, however difficult or re- 

 sponsible. But, at the same time, Gentlemen, I appreciate 

 to its full extent the generosity evinced in your over-rating so 

 far my qualifications for the honor which you have conferred. 

 Let me assure you that I consider this day one of the proudest 

 of my life, and that my wishes for the welfare of the Insti- 

 tute will ever be equally ardent and sincere. Reverting to 

 the past days of this Institution, we have, I think, no reason 

 to regard its labors without some degree of satisfaction. 

 Established in that era of Victoria in which, apparently, the 

 whole energies of the population were absorbed in the desire 

 of accumulating the glittering treasures of our mines, the 

 Institute not only more and more consolidated its position, 

 but has offered, in its uninterrupted progress, an additional 

 proof that the lasting benefit of intellectual exertions has been 

 ever fully comprehended in our youthful country. Glancing 

 around us, nothing can be more manifest. Can we, at the 

 early days of our colony, view without pride the establishment 

 of an University, of Observatories, of a Public Library, of a 

 Museum, of Associations cultivating varied branches of science 

 successfully, of several higher educational institutions ; these, 

 too, all flourishing, all (our own Institute not excepted) bear- 

 ing the additional guarantee of their prosperity in being fos- 

 tered by a representative of Royalty, in whom the learning of 

 a scholar and the urbanity of a nobleman are blended with a 

 tried knowledge of the world, and with an ardent wish to be 

 the benefactor of this country. Under such auspices, in a 

 land so eminently adapted to become the prosperous abode 

 of millions, we have, in concentrating here the scientific 

 talent of the colony, a great design to fulfil. Need I remind 

 you how wide a field of observation lies before us throughout 

 all domains of nature — how many of its resources continue 



