And still how vastly might we not increase these gifts of Providence through our exertions! Might not the vegetable treasures from every zone, except the torrid, be flourishing around us, ministering to our necessary wants and to our luxurious enjoyment? Might not the pastures of our silent Alps, might not our grassles forest ranges, like the Andes or the Himalayan mountains, yet be enlivened by the alpaca or the Cashmere goat? Mightt not the desert game of Southern Africa yet roam in lively sport throughout our inland solitudes, and render them more hospitable, perhaps betraying to the wearied wanderer, by their path, the water-pool on which his life depends? Might not the camel's track across the continent guide with their flocks the harbingers of new colonization to the oases of our inland wastes, and lead them on and on, until by peaceful conquest we raise another Indian empire in continental Oceania? Might not the scenes of enterprise, of which the South has been a recent and astounded witness, soon be renewed on our northern shore, and the symbols of Neptune, Ceres, and Minerva be planted by Britannia on a coast of wide extent, now lying desolate? Might not the chain be closed by which, in harmony, civilisation should link one country to the other, by which young, vigorous Australia steps in the series of mighty nations ? Might not the telegrapher—a talisman of commerce and philanthropy, a triumph of the genius of science—extend its girdle almost around the globe, and bring, at lightning's speed, this country in close communion with the remotest portions of the earth?

But why, you ask, whilst we are assembled to inaugurate renewed labors, do I advert to questions apparently so far remote? Because we constitute part of a rising nation, because we see before us, in its grandest bearing, the destined future of Australia—because we are in part intrusted with the direction of new enterprises, which will, we hope, disclose what yet remains mysterious of the interior, will aid in open ing the resources of the country to thousands of our fellow-men, and will facilitate, immeasurably, the commerce of the world.

Then we are called to share in other labors tending to advance our social position, to smooth, with helping hand, the way by which science, ever beneficial, may exercise amongst us the power of its influence. Are we not expected also to raise this Institution to the standard of others in the mother-countries—to keep pace with those rapid strides made in the path of progress everywhere? Shall we not likewise aim at that improvement, that perfection, by which, whilst missing yet less the country of our childhood, we may render the land of our adoption more home-like still, and may retain for it its wealth.

Royal Society of Victoria