[Footnote 58_a_: Page 42.--Four years ago you were good enough, in
offering me the position of your honorary president, to ask the
sympathy and encouragement which the governor-general, as Her Majesty's
representative, might rightly be asked to manifest towards the
representatives of science and of the liberal arts. I am afraid that my
contributions to literature and science have been few. I do not know
they are such as would have merited the notice of the Royal Society,
but I can assure you that none of the members of your body take a
deeper interest in all that concerns the welfare of your Society than
he who is now laying down the office of honorary president. (Cheers.)
There were some persons who considered that in a comparatively new
country like Canada it was ambitious on her part when the foundations
of the Royal Society were laid, but there must be a beginning of all
things, and I think I may appeal to the work which has been and is
being done by the different branches of the Society as evidence that
its establishment was in no sense premature, but that it was fittingly
determined that the progress of science and literature should take
place coincidently with that of the country. In a new country like
this--I think you have touched upon it in your address--there is a
great tendency to further one's material wants, to promote trade and
commerce, and to put aside, as it were, literature and the sciences;
but here the Royal Society has stepped in and done good work by uniting
those who were scattered by distance and who find in the meetings
of our Society a convenient opportunity of coming together for the
exchanging of ideas and renewing of those friendships which, though
perhaps only yearly meetings permit, are nevertheless enduring. If we
look back we shall best see what good work is being done. If we could
imagine the existence of such a society as this in the older countries
in olden times, what a mine of wealth of information would have been
afforded us! We see that from the very first, whether in literature,
which forms so important a part in our Society; whether it be in the
constitutional studies, in which our President is such an adept--and I
was glad to see his authority has been quoted on the other side of the
Atlantic as well as on this--whether it be in the literature of the
chivalrous pioneers of France, who first led the way into the unbroken
wilderness, or whether it be in the latter days of constitutional
progress of this country and its relations both to the old world and
the country growing up alongside of us.
In literature, history and poetry, also, the Society will from the
first have its stamp, as we trust, upon the future of the Canadian
race. (Cheers.) That science and the arts to an equal extent may find a
place here is our earnest wish, in order that by sentiment and feeling
we may bind together in the closest ties that by which she must achieve
a great and enduring success. I must not detain you from your other
duties, but I could not refrain from saying in a few words how heartily
and truly I appreciate and believe in the work of the Royal Society. At
your next meeting, as you truly say, I fear I shall not be amongst you;
but though the Atlantic may roll between us, you may be certain that
in spirit, at least, I hope to be present at your meeting, and shall
follow with the liveliest and deepest interest any record you may be
good enough to send me of what takes place on that occasion. * * * * *
I appeal not the less to my French colleagues than to my English ones
in all matters which relate to the welfare of the Society. Science,
art and literature, it is true, are cosmopolitan, but they are well
knit together in this Society. We who have experienced in Canada the
hospitality of its people are grateful for it. We have admired the
greatness of the resources of this country, and we look forward to a
society like this as having ample work to do in the future. As in every
respect Canada seems to be disposed always to take a forward part, so I
hope the Royal Society will ever press on to a higher and higher goal;
and, gentlemen, I can wish to the Royal Society, to all my friends and
brothers of the Society, to whom I once more tender my hearty thanks,
no greater blessing than, like Canada itself, that they may be happy,
united and prosperous. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)]