INTRODUCTION. 



[1853 



1852-'3. 



Engineering and Surveying . — 



Geology and Physical Geography 3 



Meteorology , . 1 



Physical Science 1 



Political Economy 2 



Natural History -- 3 



General Literature 3 



Ethnography 1 



It is very far from our intention to question the exertions of 

 the professional gentlemen who first gave existence to the Cana- 

 dian .Institute, and from -whose enlightened efforts in many di- 

 rections it has hitherto drawn such a large measure of its influ- 

 ence and strength, but we would warmly urge the claims of the 

 various Departments of Practical Science upon their numerous 

 and accomplished representatives among the members of the 

 Institute. Canada fills now so large a space in the world's eye, 

 that the condition and progress of its means of internal commu- 

 nication, — its stupendous Railway system, its magnificent Canals, 

 — its vast and navigable Rivers, — are become such prominent ob- 

 jects of interest abroad, as well as of vital importance to our- 

 selves, that no reasonable means should be spared to afford the 

 public authentic information respecting their construction, im- 

 provement and management. That a fair measure of support is 

 given to the Institute through the pages of its Journal, we are 

 glad to acknowledge, and we have every reason to believe that 

 the extension of that support in the way of original contributions 

 in all home matters relating to engineering and surveying opera- 

 tions, would be both interesting and advantageous to the public 

 here and abroad. We have alluded thus pointedly to the ab- 

 sence of that general professional co-operation which was so 

 liberally promised a year or so ago, in consequence of its having 

 already attracted attention without the walls of the Institute, 

 and led to the supposition that the Society, originally founded 

 by the Engineers and Architects of the Province, is gradually 

 being transformed into one of a purely Scientific character. Such, 

 however, is very far from being the case. The Council, thoroughly 

 impressed with the importance of sustaining in full vigour and 

 efficiency, the practical character of the Society over which it 

 presides, divided tha sum set apart from the Government Grant 

 of last year, for the purchase of books and Maps, into two equal 

 portions, one half being placed at the disposal of the Committee 

 representing the professions of the Engineer, the Architect, and 

 the Surveyor, for the purchase of standard works on the subjects 

 of those professions ; the other half being disbursed by another 

 Committee in procuring works of a more general description. Wo 

 have every reason to believe that a similar distribution of the 

 library funds will be made this year. The arrangements which 

 have been already completed, or are yet in progress, will, most 

 probably, secure to the present volume very comprehensive facil- 

 ities for illustrating the magnificent public works of the Province, 

 well known by their annually increasing revenue, but still with- 

 out a place in the pages of any periodical or print. 



Fourteen months ago, a document was issued by the Council 

 of the Institute, soliciting promises of literary aid for the weekly 



meetings during the Sessions, and for the pages of the then con- 

 templated Journal. The signatures of many gentlemen, admira- 

 bly qualified to render the required assistance, were received. 

 The Lecture room of the Institute as well as the pages of the 

 first volume of its Transactions, bear witness to the industry with 

 which that promise was fulfilled by many who contributed their 

 much valued exertions to promote the objects of the Society. We 

 are, however, still enabled to recognize on the list which now 

 lies before us, the names of several gentlemen upon whom the 

 burthen rests of recording their zeal for the progress of Science 

 and Art, by works in addition to words. 



It has been our misfortune to listen to the complaints of mem- 

 bers of the Institute that the profession, manufacture or trade, in 

 which they are engaged, has not attracted the attention of the 

 Society or been fairly represented in the pages of the Journal. 

 We have recently had the opportunity of perusing the report of 

 the Proceedings of the Second Annual Conference between the 

 Representatives of the Institutions in Union, and the Council of 

 the Society of Arts. AVe find in the speech of the Chairman, at 

 the opening of proceedings, a few trite observations, which apply 

 with the same force to Individuals as to Institutions. In trans- 

 cribing and commending these remarks to the attention of mem- 

 bers who think themselves aggrieved, we venture to remind them 

 of the peculiar position of the Canadian Institute, and of the 

 claims which it has in its youth to the active and generous co- 

 operation of all its members. 



" The Council has felt that in the whole management of this 

 Union, the principle enunciated at the last Conference roust be 

 borne in mind ; namely, that it is the duty of each Institution to 

 do its own work, and for the Society of Arts to do that amount 

 of work which the Institutes cannot do of themselves, and which 

 can only be done by means of combined action ; and therefore I 

 shall ask you to bear in mind that if there is any thing you 

 think ought to be done which has not been done, you will reflect 

 for an instant and consider whether it docs not come under that 

 class of duties which Institutes ought to have done for them- 

 selves, and which, in fact, no central authority whatever could do 

 for them. Another point I will thank you to bear in mind is, 

 that any thing in this world that is to be done, cannot be done in 

 an instant. Works worthy of being done, do not grow up like 

 mushrooms ; if you wish to have an oak tree, you must begin 

 by planting an acorn, and wait patiently for some time for it to 

 develop itself. A number of impossible discussions have been 

 proposed to the Council during the year: for instance, gentlemen 

 living far North, have suggested that we should send down first- 

 rate lecturers — men like Faraday — some 300 or 400 miles, and 

 that the whole expense should" come within a pound. Now I 

 confess that no central power which I can conceive would be able 

 to accomplish that feat; aud it will be for you to judge how far 

 such a thing is possible. Another point of difficulty I would 

 mention has been the question of the Journal. The Council 

 thought the establishment of a Journal, for every Institute to 

 pour its suggestions into, and to record its advice, its feelings, and 

 its wishes, would be very useful. They accordingly established 

 a Journal at a very considerable drag upon their funds ; in fact 

 it involved the expenditure of the funds of the Society to an ex- 

 tent nearly equivalent to the subscriptions of all the Institutes. 

 If that Journal is not what I think it ought to be, and if the In- 

 stitutes have not corresponded with it, to tell their grievances and 

 their wants, of course it cannot be said to be the fault of the 

 Council.'' 



