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and the Colonies is of no little moment, for nowhere are its operations more needed; the state of thought in new countries has a great tendency to a shallow scepticism; it is marked by a great mental activity, and little deep thought; a wide knowledge of the practical applications of science, and little time for real philosophical study; and it is just in such soils that modern scientific scepticism takes root most freely.

3. The increase in the number of American Members is remarkably gratifying, and leads the Council to hope that the work of the Institute will be carried out in the United States with characteristic energy.

4. The election of the Vice-Presidents and Council has been carried out as usual. The following have been elected:

President.-The Right Hon. the EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, K.G.

Vice-Presidents.

The Right Hon. the EARL OF HARROWBY, K.G.

C. BROOKE, Esq., M.A., F.R.S.

Rev. ROBINSON THORNTON, D.D.

P. H. GOSSE, Esq., F.R.S.
C. B. RADCLIFFE, Esq., M.D., &c.

W. FORSYTH, Esq., Q.C., LL.D., M.P. Rev. Principal T. P. BOULTBEE, LL.D. Hon. Tr.-W. N. WEST, Esq.

Hon. Sec. and Editor.-Capt. F. W. H. PETRIE, F.R.S.L., &c.

Council.

ROBERT BAXTER, Esq. (Trustee).
V.-Adm. E. G. FISHBOURNE, R.N., C.B.
R. N. FOWLER, Esq., M.A. (Trustee).
W. H. INCE, Esq., F.L.S., F.R.M.S.
A. MCARTHUR, Esq., M.P.

E. J. MORSHEAD, Esq., H.M.C. (F.C.)
ALFRED V. NEWTON, Esq.
WILLIAM M. ORD, Esq., M.D.
WILLIAM VANNER, Esq., F.R.M.S.
S. D. WADDY, Esq., Q.C., M.P.
A.J.WOODHOUSE, Esq.,M.R.I.,F.R.M.S.
Rev. Principal J. H. RIGG, D.D.
Rev. Prebendary C. A. Row, M.A.

Right Rev. BISHOP OF RANGOON, D.D.
J. A. FRASER, Esq., M.D., I.G.H.
H. CADMAN JONES, Esq., M.A.
Rev. W. ARTHUR, D.D.

C. R. BREE, Esq., M.D., F.Z.S.
J. E. HOWARD, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S.
Rev. G. W. WELDON, M.A., M.B.
Rev. Principal J. ANGUS, M.A., D.D.
J. BATEMAN, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S.
The Master of the Charterhouse.

Rev. Professor H. WACE, M.A.
D. HOWARD, Esq., F.C.S.

5. The Council regrets to announce the decease of the following valued supporters of the Institute :

Rev. W. H. Bathurst, M.A. (Foundation Member); Rev. A. Duff, D.D. (Member); J. Fairfax, Esq. (Foundation Member); Rev. G. Howard (Associate); Rev. R. Main, M.A., F.R.S., V.P., R.A.S. (Cor. Member); Rev. Canon Mozley, D.D. (Member); R. Mullings, Esq. (Member); Rev. E. Thrupp (Associate); Right Rev. Bishop Trower, D.D. (Member); R. Trotter, Esq. (Member); T. V. Wollaston, Esq. (Foundation Member).

6. The following is a statement of the changes which have occurred during the past twelve months :

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Hon. Foreign Correspondents and Local Secretaries, 27.

Finance.

7. The Audited Balance Sheet of the Treasurer for the year ending 31st December, 1877, is appended, showing a balance in hand of £1. 8s. 6d. The amount now invested in the New Three per Cent. Annuities is £787. 8s. 1d.

8. The arrears of subscription are now as follows:

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9. The estimated ordinary assets of the Institute for the current year, exclusive of arrears and of new subscribers, are as follows:

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* Those influences which this and last year greatly affected all Societies

have been somewhat felt by this Institute.

Meetings.

"Creation and Providence." By J. E. HOWARD, Esq., F.R.S. December 3, 1877.

"Nature's Limits; an Argument for Theism." By S. R. PATTISON, Esq., F.G.S. January 7, 1878.

"Mr. Matthew Arnold and Modern Culture." By Professor LIAS, St. David's College, Lampeter. January 21.

"On the Relation of Scientific Thought to Religion." By the Right Reverend the LORD BISHOP OF EDINBURGH, D.D. February 4.

"Assyrian Monuments." By W. S'CHAD BOSCAWEN, Esq. February 18. (Intermediate.)

"Monotheism." By the Rev. Dr. RULE (Author of "Oriental Records ") March 4.

"Was the name Jehovah known to all Shemitic Nations?" By Professor SWAINSON, D.D. (Cambridge University). March 18. (Intermediate.) "Modern Geogenies exemplified in their bearing on the Antiquity of Man." By Professor BIRKS (Cambridge). April 1.

"On the Formation of Valleys." By G. RACE, Esq. April 15. (Intermediate.)

"Physical Geography of the East." By Professor J. L. PORTER, D.D. May 6.

"Physical Geography." By J. THORNHILL HARRISON, Esq., M. Inst., C.E., F.G.S. May 20. (Intermediate.)

ANNIVERSARY. Annual Address by Rev. Principal J. H. RIGG, D.D. (at the House of the Society of Arts). May 31.

10. The meetings during this session have been numerously attended.

Publications.*

11. The Eleventh Volume of the Journal of Transactions has been issued.

* The Transactions now extend to eleven volumes, containing the papers and discussions thought worthy of publication. Some are purely scientific, such as, e.g., the paper on the Isomorphism of Crystalline Bodies, and some take up those questions of Science or Philosophy which bear upon the truths revealed in Scripture, these latter are taken up on account of the assaults made in the name of Science or Philosophy upon Revelation, and with a view to elucidating the Truth, and getting rid of such philosophic or scientific theories as prove baseless. Theological questions, being naturally outside the Institute's objects, are left for other Societies and ministers of religion.

12. The Journal contains Papers read at the Meetings, and the Discussions thereon. Before they are published in the Journal, the Papers themselves, and the Discussions, are revised and corrected by their Authors, and MS. comments and supplementary remarks are added, which have been sent in by those Home and Foreign Members to whom, as being specially qualified to pronounce an opinion on the respective subjects, proof copies of the Papers have been submitted for consideration. These arrangements, which cannot but add to the value of the Journal, are carried out with a view to the advantage of all, especially Country and Foreign Members, WHO THUS FIND IN THE JOURNAL MUCH VALUABLE MATTER, IN ADDITION TO THAT WHICH HAS COME BEFORE THOSE ACTUALLY PRESENT AT THE MEETINGS.

13. Many Members at home and abroad continue to use the Journal as the basis of lectures in their neighbourhoods.

14. It is very desirable that the translation of the more popular Papers into foreign languages should be extended.

15. The Institute exchanges Transactions with many leading home and foreign Scientific Societies.

16. Finally, it is most important that the VICTORIA INSTITUTE should not only be maintained in a state of thorough efficiency by its present supporters, but that it should be enabled to go forward rapidly in carrying out its work. The President and Council, being anxious that the extent and value of that work should be increased, ask the co-operation of all Members and Associates; all can aid in raising the numerical strength

THE PEOPLE'S EDITION. With a view to further opposing that scepticism of the day which takes its rise from erroneous views as to the results of scientific discovery, or from the rash adoption of such pseudoPhilosophical or quasi-Scientific theories as tend to undermine the public belief in revealed religion, the Council decided in 1874 to commence the issue, in a cheap form, of single copies of some of the Papers in the Journal of Transactions; seven Papers are now so published. The Institute has now many bookseller-agents in various large towns of the United Kingdom for the sale of this Edition, and it has been much sought after, for circulation amongst friends and distribution amongst the intelligent working classes in manufacturing, mining, and other districts. It may be mentioned that many have reported that they find them of much use as works of reference, especially in districts where lecturers or literature advocating philosophical or scientific theories tending to scepticism are common.

of the Institute by introducing new Members, and by making its objects known in their respective neighbourhoods.

In conclusion, the Council cannot but express its thankfulness for the success which continues to attend the Society's exertions. The time when it was only known as a Society working in the United Kingdom has passed by, and it can now count its supporters in many a country throughout the world. The existence of such support greatly adds to the efficiency with which its objects are carried out, and should induce all to assist in extending its influence whilst opportunity offers.

Signed on behalf of the Council,

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The following balance-sheet was then read:

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