46 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



As I have now reviewed some of the leading events of the 

 early history of our Club —the first ever established in Ireland — 

 up to a point to which most of my hearers' knowledge extends, 

 it is unnecessary to trouble you with further details. 



As we look back to the Club's early days many of us can 

 call up recollections of companions found with interests and 

 pursuits identical with our own, friendships formed which have 

 been steadfastly maintained through fair weather and foul, ever 

 since; and though at times we may have differed in our 

 conclusions, the earnest desire after truth and knowledge taught 

 us that we were far from possessing any monopoly of either, 

 and so caused us to respect the opinions of others. True, our 

 discussions have been earnest, and may have even assumed a 

 il mammoth " form, but each of our members have been 

 actuated by the same spirit as that expressed by Bret Harte's 

 " Truthful James " : 



" Now, I hold it is not decent for a scientific gent 

 To say another is an ass — at least to all intent : 

 Nor should the individual, who happens to be meant, 

 Reply by heaving rocks at him, to any great extent." 



I would have liked, had time permitted, to have made some 

 reference to the wonderful strides with which science has 

 progressed since we first met as a Club, but a mere casual 

 review of such matters would more than occupy the time of an 

 entire meeting. I cannot, however, conclude my remarks 

 without some references to the changes which have occurred 

 during our quarter century's existence. Faces long familiar to 

 us have disappeared. Some of our early members have 

 transferred their abilities to other localities, amongst whom are 

 Professor Tate, to whom I have already referred. Professor 

 James Thompson, for several years our President, still occupies 

 his Chair in Glasgow University — a colleague of his eminent 

 brother, Sir William — worthy sons of a worthy father, and of 

 whom as natives of our northern province we may well be 

 proud. Professor Macloskie, at Princeton, pursues the investi- 

 gations which he began in his native isle. Sir William 

 MacCormac and Dr. J, Sinclair Holden, are actively engaged in 



