78 
The Presideiif s Address. 
whicli when it escaped the lips of the great Linnaeus, 
must have assumed more of the character of a prophecy 
than a law. In all nature we find that the essence of a 
thing is hidden from our superficial view. It is the law of 
our being that only by patient industry can we discover 
the nature and reasons of things about us. The microscope 
itself is a wonderful illustration of this law. How long, and 
patiently, and laboriously have its discoverers worked, and 
wrested step by step the great secret of its structure from the 
laws that regulate light and glass and colour, and form ; yet 
no one can doubt that its discovery has been intended and 
provided for in the constitution of the human mind, by the 
same Providence that has decreed that man shall become 
moral, and civilised, and religious, by the apprehension of his 
true relation to the world and its Maker. In the employment 
of this instrument we are but following the profounder in- 
stincts of our nature, and pursuing that course of inquiry 
which none can look back upon in the history of our race, 
without feeling that it must result in a higher good to man 
and the glory of his Creator. 
The election of officers and council took place at the con- 
clusion of the address. The following were elected : 
President — Dr. Lankester. Treasurer — N. B. Ward, 
Esq. Secretaries — John E. Quekett, Esq.; George E. 
Blenkins, Esq. 
Four Members of Council. — Dr. L. Beale ; J. Glashier, 
Esq. ; E. Warington, Esq. ; Rev. T. Wiltshire : — in the 
place of J. G. Appold, Esq. ; Henry Deane, Esq. ; John 
Grattan, Esq. ; J. C. Whitbread, Esq. ; who retire in ac- 
cordance with the bye-laws of the Society. 
