4 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 



by many withheld, from a non-appreciation of our design or from, 

 other causes which prevent accession to our ranks. But it is 

 impossible to believe that, before many years, the increase of 

 population and the advancement of learning will not be accom- 

 panied by Associations that will outstep our present humble pro- 

 gress, and occupy that rank in social life which I am ambitious 

 enough to wish this Society could look forward to with somewhat 

 of parental pride. At present there has been very little in our 

 undertakings that savours of individual and independent research. 

 Our business has been of a somewhat local character, and perhaps 

 in this early state of what hereafter will be of National instead 

 of Colonial importance, we have done well to reflect a borrowed 

 light rather than aim at shining with an effulgence of our own. 



But we are in this Society altogether too insulated. "We have 

 By-laws which we Lave not carried into operation, and we are 

 unconnected with other Societies in neighbouring Colonies, or 

 even in this, which have a common object, and sometimes own a 

 common designation. 



And yet I am aware that there are papers in our Transactions 

 by various writers which have gained for their contributors 

 respectful attention from persons of eminence in other lands. 



At a recent meeting of the Council of this Society, I was led 

 to the expression of sentiments in accordance with the above 

 remarks ; and it is a great satisfaction to myself and, I trust, 

 Gentlemen, to all here present, that by the active exertions of 

 one of our leading members, whom you have elected this evening 

 to the office of Secretary in the place of our indefatigable friend 

 who is about to act as Treasurer, we have now advanced to the 

 occupation of the pleasant apartment in which we commence 

 the work of our present session. 



The Society will, I hope, sanction the steps that have been 

 taken to secure for a term this room and another, which we must 

 modestly furnish, so that our work may be carried on more suc- 

 cessfully than hitherto. 



There are some other considerations which suggest themselves 

 as to the publication of discussions that occasionally follow the 



