22 Inaugural Address. 



And, if really it is the case that any distinctions are kept np in 

 this room which militate against the well-being of the Society, it 

 would be better for them to be laid aside, especially as no men 

 are so little likely to forget the established relations of life as 

 those, of whatever class, whose habits of thought have been 

 nurtured by acquaintance with the order, distinctions, separate 

 relations and combinations observable in nature. 



It is, however, only just to recollect, that a jealousy of this 

 kind has had no sanction from any proceedings which have come 

 under observation. We can point with great satisfaction to the 

 fact, that if not Patron, her Majesty's Representative has always 

 been the President of our Society ; that one at least of those high 

 officers of State has worked in common with us and has submitted 

 to us his own opinions for discussion ; and that our present 

 Governor has frequently attended meetings where he bas not been 

 always supported by the presence of those who ought to have 

 attended him ; and what is most significant, not one single contri- 

 bution has been received from any member of the Society whose 

 skill in art or mecbanical contrivance would have gained him a 

 hearty welcome, even if he be otherwise little known in social life. 



It has been considered right to say so much on an unwelcome 

 topic, in order to remove, if possible, a similar prejudice to that 

 which once occasioned injury to the Institution in whose Hall we 

 are now assembled, and which, if not met in a fair and candid 

 way, may do injury to our cause. 



This prejudice cannot, however, have any bearing on the reserve 

 and distance of those highly educated men who, Members of 

 of British Universities and of contemporaneous Associations, might 

 have been supposed to have already gathered around a Society 

 of this kind, as the friendly encouragers, if not the active instru- 

 ments of its success. 



Leaving these differences to follow their own course, it is to be 

 feared, from the indications furnished to us, that unless a new 

 spirit be infused, we must resign ourselves to the inevitable 

 destiny of an unpopular Institution. 



This ought, nevertheless, not to paralyse the exertions of our- 

 selves in endeavouring to extend our field of usefulness; nor should 

 it deprive those who are attached to our designs, of the pleasure 

 which they themselves have found in turning their thoughts, 



