vi 



PREFACE. 



Chapter of Genesis the lessons it was origuially designed to 

 teach, lessons necessary for all men and independent of niceties 

 of translation, and unaffected by any progress of Science. 



In the field of Pure Science, Dr. Sydney Chapman presented 

 a most important paper on the Number and Total Light of the 

 Stars, and Dr. Pinches, in the department of Assyriology, gave 

 a summary of the latest discoveries in Babylonia. The Institute 

 was indebted for the Annual Address to Colonel Sir Charles M. 

 Watson, whose illustrated lecture, on " Jerusalem : Past and 

 Present," followed most appropriately Mr. Arthur W. Sutton's 

 address in the previous year on " Suez to Sinai." 



To the writers of these papers, which have sustained the high 

 standard of interest and importance of previous Volumes of the 

 Transactions, the hearty thanks of the Council are tendered, 

 and also to those who have taken part in the discussions. 



Since January five new members and 27 new associates 

 have been elected. During the last two or three years there 

 has been a marked increase in the attendances : this increase 

 has been fully sustained during the past Session, and the 

 Council desire to announce that they have removed their offices 

 to 1, Central Buildings, Westminster, S.W., where they have been 

 able to make more suitable arrangements to provide for this 

 increased attendance. 



Losses from death have been especially numerous and severe. 

 Among the valued supporters whose help is thus lost to us, 

 have been Sir David Gill, K.C.B., F.R.S., one of our honorary 

 correspondents, and our Vice-President, the Right Honourable 

 Lord Strathcona and Mount Eoyal. Nevertheless the year has 

 been, on the whole, one of steady and satisfactory progress, and 

 the Council feel a grateful assurance that they have been 

 sustained and helped by the Divine Presence in the work of 

 the Institute. They pray that the blessing of Almighty God 

 may continue to rest upon their labours, and may go forth with 

 the Volume which they now issue and would humbly dedicate 

 to His service. 



E. Walter Maunder, 



Secretary. 



