145 
province of our Society, and we are all bound to do what we can to support 
it. Our Council have a very difficult and delicate position to fill, because it 
is the object of the Society to protest, not against science truly so called, but 
against the unfair manipulation of the facts of science, and it is the province 
ol this Society to set that clearly before the world,— it has succeeded won- 
derfully well for nine years. (Cheers.) 
The resolution was then agreed to. 
Mr. C. Brooke, F.R.S. — My lords, ladies, and gentlemen, as the important 
business of the evening is still to come, I think it is fitting that I should use 
the fewest possible words in acknowledging the sense which the Council 
have of your appreciation of their humble services. I would only add one 
remark, and that is to point out to you how much the Council owe, in the 
duties which they have to the best of their ability performed, to one officer 
—our honorary secretary. (Cheers.) I think it right to say this on behalf 
of the Council, on account of the large amount of work which has been 
accomplished for the benefit of the Institute by him alone. To him this 
duty is truly a labour of love, and I can only assure you that from his 
indefatigable exertions much additional strength has accrued to the society, 
and also from his obtaining men of eminence in science or in literature 
to bring valuable papers before us. (Cheers.) I will say no more than this 
in returning the thanks of the Council. 
Captain F. Petrie. — My lords, ladies, and gentlemen, I am sorry to say 
that our honorary treasurer’s absence prevents him from returning you thanks 
on behalf of the honorary officers of the Institute. I am sure that the reso- 
lution moved by Mr. Fowler and seconded by the Rev. Dr. Hessey, who, it 
is now no breach of confidence to mention, has this day been named Arch- 
deacon of Middlesex (cheers), must afford the honorary officers much gratifi- 
cation. I can only say that what the honorary officers have most at heart 
is the Institute’s progress. (Cheers.) 
The Rev. Professor Main then read the following address :— 
ANNUAL AJDL11ESS. 
My Lord Shaftesbury and Gentlemen, 
It is not with unmixed feelings that I have accepted 
the invitation of the Council of this Society to deliver the 
Annual Address to-day. On the one side, I feel painfully that 
the constant heavy occupation of my time and energies, by the 
laborious work of the Radcliffe Observatory, has not left me 
in general sufficient leisure to engage deeply in the studies 
which are necessary for taking part in the conflicts between 
