Not alone in the offshoots of the older world, but in the more ancient seats of learning, positions of this nature have customarily been occupied by men distinguished for their rank or eminent for their learning, and it would therefore have been most direct for me to reconcile to myself my occupation of this place had I not felt assured of your recognition in me of those more humble, but perhaps not less useful qualities which may aid our common object, but in the language of one who had far less reason for using it under circumstances not unlike the present. I repeat that "in zeal for the welfare of this Association, in intense interest for the accomplishment of its object, I yield to none, and if these may suffice, I hope I shall not be found unworthy of the trust you repose in me," Yet it is no common responsibility with which you have charged me, for this Association is one of the great powers which the altering phases of this world have edled into action; yet a few years since and it could not have existed; and even now some persons are found unable to ciate its worth or understand its purpose.

And now may I be permitted to urge the necessity of that mutual support and co-operation upon which the progress and ultimate success of the Society is entirely based. From as simple an origin have the noblest institutions of our parent lands had birth, where their founders, however few their numbers, have shewn that earnest perseverance which is the sure index of success; nor need we doubt our success in securing the same issue, for whilst every other interest is that the facilities for experiment and obsservation will become daily more attainable.

Royal Society of Victoria