I know very well that I have not been selected for the high office which I occupy in consequence of any scientific attainments which I possess. I have been always engaged in the work of a very laborious profession—always too jealous of my devoting myself to any other studies than those immediately connected with it; and thus I am the more indebted to your kindness in having placed me in this position.

It is perhaps, in consequence of my holding another office that I have received this honour, and feeling that in doing honour to the office you do honour to the man, I beg to thank you, gentlemen, for both; I also feel, and I trust I am not wrong in the supposition, that a suggestion may have operated on the minds of some members in selecting me, as I have always understood that a society of this kind does, in no country, merely tend to the improvement and cultivation of science, but also creates a social intercourse; and I, therefore, regard this as neutral ground upon which we can all meet.

Gentlemen, I am debarred, as you are aware, from participation in the politics of the country, and I dare not express a single opinion upon any subject which is likely to come before me in my capacity as a judge; but, fortunately, this is a subject upon which I am free to enter and express an opinion.

I am right well aware that there is much for us to do, and, on behalf of this society, I very cordially thank his Excellency for the frank, open, and manly way in which he pointed out what we ought to do. It is a true friend who tells us what our failings are, and who not merely praises us. But he will allow me to say, that he has not seen the troubles through which we have gone, recognizing, as I may, in this instance, those difficulties which every society in its infancy has to encounter.

I cannot help congratulating the Institute on the progress which it has already made. Some few years ago, I well remember, when I was in office, absenting myself from an early meeting of what was the first Institution, on the plea of urgent official duties. And I remember that my hon. friend, who sits on my immediate right, and who was my predecessor in the chair which I have now the honor to occupy, told me that the encouragement of such societies was of as much importance as official or any other class of duties; that the influence which such institutions were calculated to produce on the state of society was just as of much importance as any motion which I might have the honor of submitting to the Assembly; or any case which I might have the responsibility of conducting in court. Although I was not then sufficiently impressed with the truth of his observations, I am now confirmed in a belief which I afterwards entertained, that all he said was true. At that time, the society, I confess, had not any very pleasing or encouraging prospects—it numbered only a very few members—and its meetings were held in a small room in the Assay Office. It had also, at that time, a most formidable rival, whilst but few of its own members interested themselves very strenuously in its progress. Now, however, the two bodies have become united, and I am rejoiced to say, that by union strength has been produced.

Royal Society of Victoria