XX 



ABITUARY NOTICE. 



As lately as the summer of 1919, he had promised to give the 

 Annual Address, but much against his will, he was compelled to 

 relinquish his plan, owing to physical weakness; some months 

 later, only a short time before the end of his life, he sent in his 

 resignation, as he said that at his great age (he was then nearly 

 97 years old) he could not conscientiously fulfil the duties of his 

 post, and he could no longer attend personally. The Council 

 replied that they quite understood his position, but they much 

 hoped that he would still remain President of the Instittite, even 

 if unable to attend personally, as he was known for so many 

 years in connection with the Victoria Institute, and the retention 

 of his name as President would greatly help our work. He 

 graciously and kindly acceded to our request, on the distinct 

 understanding that it was to be on the arrangements proposed 

 by the Council. 



Thus, it will be seen how earnestly and how faithfully Lord 

 Haisbury carried out his duties, beginning at the very commence- 

 ment of his Presidential career and steadfastly continuing up to 

 the end of his long life. 



The last part of our late President's term of office embraced the 

 anxious years of the . Great AYar, and of the first three years of 

 the Armistice, and our Institute experienced a full share of the 

 difficulties which fell to the lot of all ; but our President's support 

 and help were unfailing during all that trying period, and he 

 proved himself to be a friend to us indeed. Lord Hal.-bury was 

 also a Vice-President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, 

 and President of the local branch in South Kensington. 



The Earl of Haisbury 's contributions to the history of our 

 country oh legal and political lines are well known, and need 

 not further be referred to now, except to emphasise the steadfast 

 goodness which he displayed, while immersed in so many great 

 responsibilities, in devoting so much of his valuable time to the 

 furtherance of the work of the Victoria Institute. 



We thank God for his leadership, and we shall remember him 

 with gratitude. 



