110 
Monday , 6th December 1858. 
Professor KELLAND, Vice-President, in the Chair. 
1. Opening Address. By Professor Kelland. • 
During the vacation, I had looked forward with confidence to the 
pleasure of listening to-night to an address from one of the ablest 
experimenters and most vigorous writers that this Society has ever 
numbered amongst its members, — Sir David Brewster. And when, 
a short time since, I learnt that I had been indulging an ill-founded 
expectation, and that the duty of opening the session was to fall to 
my own lot, I experienced something more than disappointment. 
For, in addition to my imperfect knowledge of the past history and 
present position of the Society, is the fact that I had made no pre- 
paration, either in the way of collecting materials, or of providing 
a reserve of time, for drawing up an address. I must therefore 
come before you with an apology. I must crave your forbearance 
should some of the remarks which I make appear trite and unworthy 
of the occasion, — should others be traceable to what I have said 
elsewhere, — should all be found crude and lower in tone than be- 
seems the position in which your kindness places me. 
The primary topic in such an address must be one suggested by 
the first glance which the eye takes around the room on every open- 
ing session — the record of the changes which death has effected in 
our body. The list of members deceased within the year is, I 
regret to say, unusually large, comprising no fewer than two hono- 
rary, and fifteen ordinary Fellows. Amongst these are names of note, 
— such as those of Lord Dunfermline, the Lord J ustice-Clerk Hope, 
and Lord Handyside, — men whose distinguished professional career 
has brought them prominently before the public, and the tribute to 
whose memory is recorded on broader pages than issue from this 
place. There are others, whose walks in life, and scientific pursuits 
in particular, brought their doings more directly under our notice, 
—such as Dr Fleming, Professor Gregory, Mr Jamieson Torrie, Mr 
Tod, Mr Jardine, and Mr Morries Stirling. 
In selecting some of these for a few brief remarks, I trust it may 
not be inferred that I deem the others little worthy of notice. A 
