7 
cause it emanates from one whose judgment in 
such matters sufficiently appears, from the 
example of Melbourne, to be a sound judg- 
ment ; and I cannot quit it without uttering 
the hope that all the honours with which a 
grateful country ’rewards an able public servant 
may be showered upon Sir Redmond Babky. 
For the rest I trust that the Society may re- 
ceive an influx of members and an extension 
of influence ; and that it may be recognised as 
— what indeed it is — the germ of an institution 
of permanence and public importance. It will 
welcome communications on any scientific 
subject, or on the history of such subjects. 
In fact, their own peculiar results do not 
constitute all that ought to be known of the 
sciences. Philosophy and History demand of 
each, and of each other, a characteristic con- 
tribution. In disregarding the claims of either, 
we may ignore truths pregnant with iuterest 
and instruction. 
It is not merely for the light which the 
beacons of the past can throw on long 
forgotten trains of thought, nor even for the 
sake of illustrating collateral events or tracing 
the path of human progress, that they are so 
assiduously rekindled. Awakening the imagina- 
tion, clearing and warming our conceptions 
of vanished ages, their lustre is not without 
influences which may for some minds have a 
greater charm. 
Scientific History teems with salutary depic- 
tions. It brings before us conspicuous instances 
of a genius, industry, ‘and striving after truth ; 
of talent misapplied j of wisdom, now pursu- 
ing a phantom, now sowing ideas in which, 
unappreciated by contemporaries and deemed 
barren in their day, we trace the germs of 
^harvests which after times have abundantly 
reaped. History preserves all, as examples or 
as warnings. The unsuccessful labours of the 
past may be landmarks for the present. 
The proper exercise of his high functions 
confers dignity as well as usefulness on the 
labours of the historian. He purifies science 
by the censure which he brings down on negli- 
gence and disingeuuousness, on ill-regulated 
speculation and misdirected energies. He se- 
cures to merit that applause which is often its 
best encouragement, and, too often, its only 
reward. 
And now, gentlemen, I must conclude, with 
aheirtywish for the prosperity and progress 
of the Society. 
$ Mr. Wight proposed that the address of the 
President be embodied in the printed pro- 
cee lings ; seconded by the Rev. B. E. Shaw. 
It was stated that Mr. J. K. Wilson, Blithes- 
dale, Firtzroy Downs, had sent to the Society 
through Mr. 1\ Warry, a box of fossil bones. 
The skull of an albatross and the jaws of a 
shark were presented to the Society by Mr. 
Danvers. Mr. Le G-ould placed on the table 
some vegetable curiosities, which will be more 
fully described in a short paper in the course of 
a month or two. 
The business of the meeting terminated with 
the appointment of the following office-bearers 
and council : — His Honour the Chief Justice 
Cockle, President ; Charles Coxen, Esq., 
M.L.A.. Vice-President j A. Raff, Esq., J.P., 
Treasurer ; Rev. R. Creyke and E. Macdonnell, 
Esq., Auditors ; Council of Five — S. Diggles, 
Esq., H. C. Rawnsley, Esq., Rev. J. Bliss, 
Charles Tiffin, Esq., and Rev. B. E. Shaw. 
