PREFACE. 
T HE seventh volume of the Journal of the Transactions of 
the Victoria Institute is now issued. 
The firm support which the Members and Associates 
have of late accorded to the Society has contributed much 
to the progress which it is making. The year 1873 has 
witnessed an addition to the number of the supporters slightly 
in advance of that of 1872; and, on account of the many 
Literary and Scientific men that are now to be found in its 
ranks, the importance of the papers submitted, and of the 
discussions thereon, has greatly increased. It may also be 
added that the Society has be6n enabled considerably to extend 
the circulation of its publications.* 
The present volume of the Transactions contains several of 
the most important papers hitherto issued by the Institute, 
each dealing with some point of special interest. Circum- 
stances connected with the publication of the second may 
require a few prefatory remarks : — The growing influence 
in the present day, of the doctrine of Fatalism, rendering 
it desirable that the Institute should take up the subject, 
the Rev. J. Robbins, D.D., kindly undertook to prepare 
a lecture t thereon, for an intermediate meeting; and 
* With a view to the better carrying out the objects of the Society, the 
Council has commenced the issue of a “ people’s edition ” of the most popular 
papers. 
t According to the Rules, lectures delivered at such meetings are not 
printed, unless by a special resolution of the Council. 
