PREFACE. 



IHE seventh volume of the Journal of the Transactions of 

 the Victoria Institute is now issued. 



The firm support which the Members and Associates 

 have of late accorded to the Society has contributed much 

 to the progress which it is making. The year 1873 has 

 witnessed an addition to the number of the supporters slightly 

 in advance of that of 1872; and^ on account of the many 

 Literary and Scientific men that are now to be found in its 

 ranks, the importance of the papers submitted, and of the 

 discussions thereon, has greatly increased. It may also be 

 added that the Society has been enabled considerably to extend 

 the circulation of its publications.* 



The present volume of the Traiisadton.s contains several of 

 the most important papers hitherto issued by the Institute, 

 each dealing with some point of special interest. Oircam- 

 stances connected with the publication of the second may 

 require a few prefatory remarks : — The growing influence 

 in the present day, of the doctrine of Fatalism, rendering 

 it desirable that the Institute should take up the subject, 

 the Rev. J. Eobbins, D.D., kindly undertook to prepare 

 a lecture f thereon, for an intermediate meeting ; and 



* With a view to the better carrying out the objects of the Societj'', the 

 Council has commenced the issue of a " people's edition " of the most popular 

 papers. 



t According to the Kules, lectures delivered at such meetings are not 

 winted, unless by a special resolution of the Council. 



