8 



ANNUAL MEETING. 



course and perhaps, in our domestic financial arrangements, we may- 

 do the same. 



The resolution was then put to the Meeting and carried 

 unanimously. 



Colonel Alves. — I have been asked to move and I have much 

 pleasure in moving the following resolution : — 



" That the thanks of the members and associates be presented 

 to the members of Council, their officers, and auditors, for 

 their efficient conduct of the business of the Victoria 

 Institute during the year." 



I have nothing to say, and I would not take up your time by 

 saying it if I had, but I have very great pleasure in moving the 

 resolution. 



Professor Orchard. — I have much pleasure in seconding this 

 resolution — not, indeed, that it requires any seconding, for it speaks 

 for itself. Every Society must be very much dependent, necessarily, 

 on its Council, honorary officers, and auditors ; but a Society of this, 

 kind is, I suppose, especially so. It arranges for a course of papers,, 

 such as will be acceptable, and at the same time useful and beneficial^ 

 to those who hear them, and a course of papers which connects, 

 science and philosophy with the Christian religion is not, I take it, a, 

 very easy task. It requires a knowledge of science and theology — 

 it requires, also, a knowledge of men ; and it requires, also, wisdom 

 not only theoretical but practical. How far the Council and 

 honorary officers have succeeded in this I think you will not have 

 much difficulty to determine if you refer to the last paragraph of 

 page 4 of the Report. Certainly those who have had the pleasure 

 of hearing or reading these papers will have had no difficulty 

 whatever in giving their most warm and sincere thanks to those 

 who have arranged the list of papers. I would, if I might be 

 allowed, congratulate the Society on the succession of Lord Halsbury. 

 At the same time I must say we all regret, exceedingly, the occasion 

 that has led to his being President. I would ask you all to join with 

 me in the tribute of admiration (which has been already expressed) 

 to our late President, Sir George Gabriel Stokes, as a scientist M^ho 

 recognized the Creator of the universe, and was not ashamed to 

 declare his convictions. No man stood higher than Stokes as an 

 investigator of Nature — and our regard and affection has been 



