230 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



time been completely altering its character. At the 

 same time I have reason to believe that our experience 

 in this respect is not altogether unique. The difficulty 

 of the outlook is increased by the fact that young men 

 have now so many outlets for their energies, such increased 

 facilities for recreation, such as travelling, cycling, motoring, 

 touring, golf, and the like, that clubs like ours do not 

 attract them, so that apparently we must expect fewer 

 and fewer reinforcements of the required type. Far be 

 it from me to assume an unduly pessimistic or lugubrious 

 tone, but the situation is one of grave concern to those 

 who have the responsibility of conducting our affairs. 

 Suggestions no doubt have from time to time been made, 

 one of which is to work by sections or committees, such 

 as botanical, geological, ornithological, archyeological sections, 

 and the like — a good idea, no doubt, but where, I may 

 ask, are the working members of such sections to be 

 found ? You may perhaps enquire what advice I have 

 to offer. I confess that I have none, except, under the 

 pleasing impression that our excursions are greatly enjoyed 

 by those who take part in them, and serve to extend 

 our acquaintance with many interesting features in the 

 Border counties, to go on as we are, hope for a revival, 

 and meanwhile be content with the Proceedings on a 

 much more modest scale than heretofore — unless the 

 Secretary by personal application can succeed in inducing 

 those of our members who have the knowledge and 

 ability to write papers. At the same time the object 

 of our Club should never be lost sight of, for the plea, 

 sometimes alleged, that the ground is "played out," is 

 true to a certain extent only. The book of nature has 

 alwa3^s fresh pages; besides which we may go over again 

 with profit what has been done in time past. Moreover, 

 even if no great discoveries are probable, we exist for 

 more than mere discoveries ; we exist in great measure 

 for the purpose of encouraging tastes for natural history, 

 md of stimulating habits of observation and research. 



