ANNIYEESAEY ADDEESS. 3 



& avoir." Now the work done by this Society is not ridiculous — 

 but in the eyes of the inconsiderate, and there are many of that 

 class around us, we do not make the figure which is suitable to 

 our assumed dignity. From experience we may be convinced 

 that all Associations of a literary or scientific kind in a new 

 country have innumerable difficulties to contend against in their 

 struggle for advancement. It is a hackneyed saying, "Rome was 

 not built in a day," and it is no less true that all Societies that 

 have attained any degree of eminence have had to struggle per- 

 haps for years till they have gained the position to which they 

 aspired. I am free to confess that I have wished for this Society 

 a recognition hereafter which men may be slow to grant it now. 

 I have desired that it may, if not immediately, yet when we all 

 may have passed away, obtain a position in this land which 

 may, if it never equals, at least represent here the eminent 

 position which in other countries some one Association of a 

 literary or scientific character has in each already attained. 



I have wished that our Society should be incorporated, and 

 that its members should not be simply annual subscribers for the 

 purpose of an evening's amusement, but men who have nobler 

 objects and a more resolute will to be of use to others. In that 

 case, our elections would have a higher value, and the elected would 

 better feel their responsibilities. "You will, I hope, pardon these 

 remarks. They have only one aim, — to awaken a more active 

 energy than we now possess. Individually I have no interest 

 whatever to serve in any revival or advancement of the kind. I 

 cannot but know that before such progress shall have been 

 accomplished " my place will no more be found." My anxiety, 

 therefore, has nothing of selfishness in it, and my only wish is 

 that a Society which has already contributed much useful 

 information to the community, and which has already attained 

 a respectable footing therein, should become the foundation on 

 which in years to come a superstructure shall be raised to the 

 honor and perpetual advantage of our adopted country. There 

 are even now talents and acquirements in hundreds of our fellow- 

 colonists sufficient to add lustre to any Association, but which are 



