A]STS"ITERSAET ADDRESS. 3 



of charges for library and furniture, we have good reason for the 

 conviction that the existence of the Society is strengthened and 

 its further progress assured . 



But, gentlemen, we must not let these considerations suflS.ce. 



A question might arise — " cui hono /"' Why are we associated 

 at all ? "What are our objects ? What are our designs ? It 

 can, however, hardly be expected that I should again give answer 

 to such inquiries. If we are not of use to each other, nor to the 

 community at large, it would save a great deal of trouble to 

 some of us if we came to a decision to dissolve and retire from 

 these gatherings altogether. 



I do not so miscalculate your wishes and views as to agree in 

 such a determination. As I have frequently said before, so I 

 now repeat, that our objects are praiseworthy, and that our 

 endeavours to maintain and occupy a respectable position in the 

 social and intellectual life of the Colonv in which we dwell, are 

 deserving of support not only within, but beyond the horizon to 

 which we stretch our expectations. For myself, and may I not 

 add for all of you, I would venture to express a renewed hope, 

 humble as is our present position in the great assemblage of men 

 who are devoting their best energies to the advancement of 

 learning and what is technically called science, that hereafter 

 our Society may expand and increase till it shall be acknowledged 

 to have attained a right, on the score of its usefulness, to the 

 suffrages and liberal support of future generations. To those 

 who go with me in such an aspiration, the words in which we 

 might best express our thoughts would be, ^^ Esto pevpetua.'" 



Yet our duty now is clear— not to rest in expectations of the 

 future, but to be diligent and thoughtful in the necessary duties 

 of the present. The suggestions of others and my own agree- 

 ment with them, lead me, therefore, now to make a distinct 

 allusion and appeal on what is at this time needful to be con- 

 sidered. 



We have already elected, to the satisfaction of those who have 

 been so elected, into the rank of Honorary members, many gen- 



