the pbesident's addbess. 99 



be dated the rapid progress in the numbers of the Society, which 

 have since that year increased from 112 to 420. 



The Journal established, the number of its members steadily in- 

 creasing, and the weekly meetings during the session fully attended : 

 the Society has continued to progress without any very marked or 

 interesting occurrence until the past year, during which two events 

 have taken place, both of much importance, and both likely to exer- 

 cise considerable influence upon the future prospects of the Institute. 

 I allude to the completion of the union with the Toronto Athenasum, 

 and the commencement of the new building destined to become the 

 future permanent home of the amalgamated body. The union with 

 the Athenasum cannot fail to be productive of the most beneficial re- 

 sults, by securing the combined support of so many persons interested 

 in the pursuits of literature and science, instead of that support be- 

 ing divided, as heretofore, between two bodies, both having kindred 

 objects in view. 



Nor need we fear that by this arrangement we have narrowed the 

 field of usefulness, or circumscribed the bounds within which all may 

 find full employment who are able and willing to make their talents 

 or acquirements subservient to the advancement of knowledge in any 

 of its departments. 



The Institute has been well described as " an attempt to unite 

 under one roof, and in one organization, a full representation of the 

 active mind of the community." And there is surely ample scope 

 afforded by the wide range of subjects embraced within the sphere 

 of the Society's objects, for "the active mind" to find full employ- 

 ment. Whether its "representation" be "full" and complete, 

 must ever depend upon the readiness of each individual member to 

 communicate the results of his observations or researches, in that 

 department of literature qt science which he may have made the ob- 

 ject of his more special study or pursuit. 



But through our union with the Athenasum we have also gained a 

 most valuable addition to our library and museum, and if the condi- 

 tion attached to this acquisition be faithfully carried out, the benefi- 

 cial effects of the arrangement upon the future welfare and prospe- 

 rity of the Institute can hardly be overrated. 



It is stated in the report which was laid before you the other even- 

 ing, " that 850 volumes, including the transactions of the leading 

 scientific and literary societies of Great Britain, as well as other 

 works of a strictly literary and scientific character," have been added 

 to our library. By the terms of our amalgamation, the joint library 

 is to be thrown open to the public, under certain restrictions ; and if 



