. president's address. 
363 
With regard to a building-fund, that is, perhaps, the main 
difficulty; but universities and colleges, like other establishments, 
have grown and developed from comparatively small beginnings. 
Norwich has its library, and as soon as its rich collections are 
arranged in the Castle Buildings, it will possess one of the finest of 
provincial museums. It has also all the materials for a medical 
school, and its hospital education is accepted ; while, if we may 
judge by the biographical records of the county, there must be 
plenty of young men and maidens ready to do honour to any 
teaching establ ishment. 
Have not Norfolk and Suffolk produced some of the most 
eminent of British naturalists? to say nothing of other celebrities. 
Indeed, we learn from an article “On the Geographical Oistribution 
of British Intellect,” published by I)r. Conan Doyle,* that in 
proportion to their population the agricultural districts have proved 
to be richer in distinguished individuals than the mining and 
manufacturing districts. Dr. Doyle found that Hampshire could 
boast a larger number of celebrities than any other county, Suffolk 
came next, and then followed in equal position Norfolk, Gloucester- 
shire, and Devonshire. 
There is no doubt, as he remarks, that towns have a higher 
intellectual activity than rural places, for the wise men seem to 
leave their native homes and develop elsewhere in places where 
higher education can be gained. I must not venture to say more 
on this subject, for I have already occupied too much of your time. 
In conclusion I may remind you, and at the same time 
congratulate you, that we have now completed our twenty-fourth 
year, and that for the ensuing session, which will mark a quarter 
of a century of our existence, we have in our new President the 
great advantage not only of one who resides in this city, of an 
original member of this Society, and of one who has served as 
Secretary ; but we have also an old President in the new President, 
and one of the most distinguished of Norfolk naturalists. 
* ‘Nineteenth Century,' August, 1SS8, p. 184. 
