82 .INNIYEESART ADDRESS. 



materials so purloined. I speak on this point with some authority, 

 as I have myself suffered in this way ; and were not our time too 

 short, I could point out some cases where this species of "picking 

 and stealing" has been a bar to the imparting of further infor- 

 mation on matters interesting to the community. 



CONCLTJSIOX. 



I have now completed my intention with respect to the 

 materials of this Address. At first, I had proposed to introduce 

 several notices of subjects which though of great interest I have 

 seen fit to leave for other occasions. Allow me, however, to 

 repeat that the'' chief points which require the Society's 

 attention have reference to our progress. 



There are those who have predicted that this Society will die 

 out. At present it is not moribund but alive and active, and if 

 those who ought to join us as working members would only lend 

 us a helping hand I do not fear that we shall not realize the 

 hopes of the most sanguine of us. "Why should any of our mem- 

 bers refuse to tell us, as briefly as they like, what may be useful 

 to be known ? In the arrangement proposed all kinds of infor- 

 mation could be employed by the Sectional Committees without 

 disturbing the modesty of the most retiring contributor ; and 

 why a mechanic, or a manufacturer, or a traveller, or mere 

 observer, should keep back under some delicacy of feeling which 

 hinders a common object I know not. AVe are called, no doubt, 

 by a somewhat lofty designation, but we do not presume to con- 

 sider ourselves of such renown as to make it presumption in any 

 one to do what he can to help on the common work. We do not 

 boast at present of taking a lead in Science or Literature, and if 

 such were the aim of our Association I for one would retire from 

 it at once. Our true position is that of pioneers, sow^ers, foun- 

 dation-layers ; and in that respect we have assuredly an 

 honorable occupation ; and as such, and such only, I have aspired 

 to take a part, somewhat, perchance, too prominent, in occa- 

 sionally " going-a-head," sometimes scattering a seed^for thought 

 here and there— and sometimes adding a pebble to what here- 



