428 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



only influence the city authorities to insist that all new thorough- 

 fares shall be made much wider than at present, and if they are 

 mindful of the injunction to "Be aye stickin' in a tree, Jock; 

 it will be growin' while ye're sleepin'," they will have the 

 satisfaction of knowing that although he who plants a tree 

 rarely lives to see it come to maturity, they are transmitting to 

 their descendants a substantial benefit, and a lasting source of 

 pleasure. 



"We may congratulate ourselves on the proposed visit of the 

 British Association during the present year, and particularly 

 when a naturalist so eminent as Professor Flower, LL.D, F.R.S., 

 is to preside over the gathering. As the head of the Kensington 

 Museum the President, I am inclined to think, may find much 

 to attract his attention in our Museum. 



In concluding, I take this opportunity of tendering my 

 warmest thanks to Messrs. Howse, Thompson, and Spence, our 

 accomplished Secretaries, and to the whole of the members, for 

 the consideration I have received during my term of office. 

 The harmony that prevails among our honorary officials and 

 more prominent members has made my position an agreeable 

 sinecure. I have derived conspicuous advantages from their 

 assistance, and in no direction are the results of their labours 

 more readily perceived than in the position which our Society 

 occupies among the kindred associations of the country. This 

 good feeling will continue, and I accept it as an auspicious omen 

 for the future, because it cannot fail to produce that improve- 

 ment in our membership and that public interest in our pursuits 

 to which I referred when I last bad the honour of addressing 

 you. 



Welcome silence ! welcome peace ! 



Oh most welcome holy shade ! 

 Thus I prove, as years increase, 



My heart and soul for quiet made; 

 Thus I fix my firm belief, 



While rapture's rushing tears descend, 

 That every flower and every leaf 



Is moral Truth's unerring friend. 



