It now becomes my duty briefly to revert to the past history of the two societies, the union of which we are met here this evening to cement.

Though the past efforts of both have not been unworthy of their object, they have fallen far short of what we can hope to attain for the future by their combination. When I had the pleasure of addressing the first meeting of the Philosophical Society, its members were few, and it had a powerful rival in the Victorian Institute. It seemed then as though there were insuperable difficulties to their amalgamation, but connected as I have been from the first with both, it was always my earnest desire to see consolidated the strength and energy of the two Societies.

The circumstances of the country indeed precluded the possibility of two such Societies existing successfully, and as this became more evident it was proposed to effect their union on a wide and permanent basis.

The management of this was entrusted to committees of the Council of both, and I have to congratulate the gentle men forming those committees on the temper and prudence they exhibited in conducting the arrangement to a successful conclusion.

United as we now are, and receiving accessions of new members, our means of useful exertion are greatly increased.

If we are firm to those principles which pest experience has shown to be best for scientific bodies, we need entertain no fears that our efforts will be misconstrued, or that the public will long remain indifferent to our pursuits.

Royal Society of Victoria