57 
Dr. J. A. Eraser, M.D., Inspector-General of Hospitals ; — seconded the 
motion, and said, that it was unnecessary in the present day to say anything 
regarding Lord Shaftesbury, as he was well known throughout the length and 
breadth of the land. 
The resolution was carried by acclamation. 
The Earl of Shaetesbtjry said : It is really very kind of you to propose to 
give me a vote of thanks. I have no claim whatever to it beyond the fact 
that I have been President of the Institute from its commencement in a 
small back room in Sackville Street, when there were, I think, five, but cer- 
tainly not more than six, people present. But now it has grown up from 
a small beginning to great results, and if ever I could be persuaded to 
believe in the doctrine of evolution it would be in the rise and progress of 
the Victoria Institute. If I was as wise as Solomon, and wiser than all the 
wise men of the East put together, I certainly would not, if I had the power, 
detain you by any remarks at this late hour. I have not the capacity to do 
so at this or at any other time of the night. I would observe that we 
have reason to be thankful to this Institute ; it has fulfilled all the con- 
ditions on which it was founded, and it has fulfilled another condition, which 
new condition is no longer necessary. I remember perfectly well that one 
great object of this Institute was to give to a great number of men of 
strong and powerful intellect, selected from the great and dominant intellects 
of the day, an opportunity of expressing their opinions and giving to the 
world the results of their meditations and their knowledge. But you must know 
that at the beginning of this Society there were certain dominant speakers 
who kept all power of competition from other speakers, and we were 
determined that those persons who could compete with them should come 
forward, to prevent the sole possession of knowledge on one particular side, 
and give fairness to the other side. One object was, that the Bible should be 
allowed to tell its own story, to say what it did say, and not be made to say 
what it did not say ; and that people should express their opinions without 
being put down by the hoof of authority. We have carried that to a great 
extent. This Society wants no further protection. It is well-established in 
the opinion of the world, — in America, on the Continent, and in all parts of 
the civilized globe ; and we may thank God that it is going on conquering 
and to conquer. I think we ought to say a word for our good friend, 
Captain Petrie, for no one has been more successful in conquering than he 
has. 
[The Annual Meeting being concluded, the Members, Associates, and their 
friends assembled in the Museum, where refreshments were served.] 
F 
VOL. XIV. 
