456 BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
In a letter dated Northampton, Mass., November 10, Dr. 
Ganong sends the following message to his fellow-members: 
Dear Dr. Hay:— 
I deeply regret that I cannot attend the anniversary meeting of the 
Natural History Society on November 12, and have a part in so notable an 
occasion; but I wish to send' through you my heartiest congratulations to 
the Society upon the solid success of the first half century of activity, much 
of which is due to Dr. Matthew and yourself. I am sure that very few local 
societies can exhibit so worthy a record of substantial achievement, whether 
one views the fine building, so admirably adapted to its work, which it has 
acquired and equipped, its six volumes of Bulletins replete with accurate 
scientific information concerning the province, or its enterprise in the diffu- 
sion of scientific knowledge among the people within range of its influence. 
And I cannot forbear at this time to express my admiration fo<r the devotion 
and public spirit of the leaders who have made this achievement possible. 
I am strongly of the opinion that you have builded even better that you 
know. In America the opinions and services of scientific men and societies 
in connection with public affairs have generally been viewed as practically 
negligible — chiefly because their advice has usually been inconveniently 
in contravention of the exigencies of local politics. But the better type 
of political life now in active evolution in this country is rapidly bringing 
among us the day (which has dawned long since in some European countries, 
notably Germany, to their very great profit), when scierftific and learned 
societies and their leaders will take, a much more prominent part in public 
affairs. This movement will find in New Brunswick, all ready for public 
service, a long established, fully equipped, and admirably managed scientific 
society wholly devoted to the interests of the province. And that is no small 
oak to have grown from the tiny acorn planted a half century ago. 
With my renewed congratulations to the Society upon its highly success- 
ful past, and my very best wishes for a greater prosperity in its promising 
future, I am, 
The Society’s devoted member, friend and fellow-worker, 
W. F. Ganong. 
