ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. ¥ 
from the conclusion of that address I am tempted to reproduce 
here, asit has perennial force and value, and few that listen tomenow 
had an opportunity then of hearing it from Mr. Clarke’s lips. “We 
must strive to discern clearly, understand fully, and report faith- 
fully ; to love truth in things physical as in things moral ; to abjure 
hasty theories and unsupported conjectures; where we are in 
doubt, not to be positive; to give our brother observer the same 
measure of credit we take to ourselves ; not striving for mastery, but 
leaving time forthe formation of the judgment which will inevitably 
be given, whether for or against us, by those who come after ; 
contented if we are able to add but one grain to that enduring 
pyramid which is now in course of erection as the testimony of 
Nature to the truth of Revelation.” 
In the last anniversary address which he delivered (17th May, 
1876) he returned again to the objects and designs of the Society, 
and urged upon the members the desirability of obtaining a 
charter, of collecting a library of scientific works, of obtaining a 
permanent home for the Society, and above all, of each individual 
member taking up some line of research and adding his mite to 
the common store of knowledge. “We are called, no doubt,” he 
says, “ by a somewhat lofty designation, but we do not presume to 
consider ourselves of such renown as to make it presumption in 
any one to do what he can to help on the common work. Our 
true position is that of pioneers, sowers, foundation-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 occasionally “going ahead,” sometimes 
seattering a seed for thought here and there, and some- 
times adding a pebble to what hereafter will, I hope, see itself 
surmounted by a superstructure of enduring reputation when 
you and I shall have long passed away beyond the heats of con- 
troversy or the coldness of criticism. Let usdo what we can to 
serve honestly our day and generation, and then we may be 
‘Sesured that posterity, m xs own time, will'do us justice. May I 
be permitted to add that, to myself, it has been a great satisfaction 
