Introductory address. 
795 
nobler and holier, but the mere gratuitous, vain, and useless 
imaginings of a creature who should have been content to 
eat and drink and die without hope or fear, like the brutes 
from which he sprang.” 
There is another account of the origin of man written 
in an older Book and expressed in fewer words. It runs 
thus :—“ And God created man in his own image. He 
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became 
a living soul.” If this account is unsupported by scientific 
basis, is that one capable of accurate demonstration ? and if 
they are both myths shall we not accept the one which 
connects man with his Creator, rather than the one which 
drags him down to the level of the brute ? Hold fast to a 
conviction that you have a nature which possesses infinite 
capacity. Believe with the poet that— 
“ Dust thou art, to dust returnest, 
Was not spoken of the soul.’ 5 
Cling to the faith which teaches that humanity may claim 
kinship with divinity, and then, whatever your career may 
be, whether you reach the highest pinnacle of fame or 
scarce attain the level of mediocrity ; in the brightest sun of 
prosperity, and in adversity’s darkest night, be content so you 
can stand erect and boast in the words of Emerson, <e Am I 
not also a man ?” 
Professor Simojids: Gentlemen, we are honoured on this 
occasion, and I think I may say perhaps for the first time in 
the history of the opening of the session, by the presence of 
one of the Vice-Presidents of the College who has taken 
this chair. I have the greatest possible pleasure in intro¬ 
ducing to you Sir James Tyler as representing the Governors 
of the Institution, and identifying them with the educa¬ 
tional department of the college. It is a new feature some¬ 
what, and we ought therefore to be exceedingly obliged to 
Sir James for honouring us on the occasion. Sir James Tyler 
will now present the medals and certificates which have been 
awarded to the successful competitors for the Coleman Prize, 
and also for the office of Monitor, viz.: 
Coleman Prize. 
Mr. Peter Avis, Ramsgate . . . Silver Medal. 
„ Charles Walter Emms, Ilminster . Bronze ,, 
,, Henry James, Bur wash . . . Cert, of Merit. 
Monitors, 1871-2. 
Mr. lies Matthews . Woolwich. 
,, W. H. Hinde . . Brockdish, Norfolk. 
„ T. Briggs . . Prestwick, Manchester. 
