Apr., 1889. 
PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 
73 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICRO¬ 
SCOPICAL SOCIETY. 
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.* 
Before entering upon the subject proper of my address this 
evening, I wish to say a few words upon some topics relating 
to our Society, and also to seize this second opportunity of 
performing a duty which I am fully sensible I owe, and 
which I have already tried partially to discharge. Let me 
take the second item first, and say that I feel it no less a 
pleasure than a duty to thank the members, and especially the 
Council of this Society, for the honourable position of 
President which they have assigned to me, and which, I know, 
I could not have adequately fulfilled, unless Iliad carried with 
me throughout the year their goodwill and assistance in the 
work. 
When, at the beginning, I looked back upon the long 
and illustrious line of men of science and naturalists 
who have in turn occupied the leading place in this 
Society, I must confess my heart sank within me at 
the thought that I could do so little to rival the glories of 
the past. When I read the names of those who have, in years 
gone by, filled—yes, actually and literally filled —this presi¬ 
dential chair, and calculated by the aid of astronomical 
observations and the Differential Calculus how small a 
portion of its superficial area I myself was able to conceal, I 
was irresistibly reminded of that dark saying of old: — 
“ Behold, there were giants in those days.” 
Think of our old and veteran commander, the one who 
first led the nascent Society from its cradle, and for three 
successive years tended its infantile and toddling footsteps, 
and to whose fostering care in after years we all know much 
of its success was due—need I say I refer to the George 
Washington of our tiny republic, the enthusiastic President 
of the Sociological Section ? But, much as you all respect and 
admire Mr. Hughes, and look back with satisfaction on his 
long and useful association with our labours, I think it has 
unaccountably been reserved for a lucky thought of mine to 
discover that this year Mr. Hughes has to celebrate the Silver 
Wedding of his connection with our Society. It is now 
exactly twenty-five years since the title, “ The Birmingham 
Natural History Society,” came into existence. We ought 
not, I feel sure, to let this year slip by without in some 
* Read before the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical 
Society, March 5th, 1889. 
