JOURNAL OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE, OR PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, HELD AT THE HOUSE OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS, SIR HENRY BARKLY, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., VICE-PRESIDENT, CAPTAIN FRANCIS PETRIE, Hon. Sec., read the following Report :— Progress of the Institute. 1. In presenting the TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT, the Council desires to state that the progress of the Institute during the past year has been encouraging, aided and maintained as it has been by the steady support accorded by the Members and Associates, both at home and abroad: without this steady support, not only would all progress have been arrested, but much ground already gained must have been lost. An increasing number of home and foreign Members and friends now contribute to enhance the value of the Institute's philosophical and scientific investigations, and to enable the Institute to fill the position that its aims demand; and it must afford no small satisfaction to the Members generally to see that their individual and collective efforts to make the VOL. XXI. B Society what it should be, have caused many of the foremost men of Science to support it, either by joining its ranks, or by lending active aid in carrying on its investigations, and especially in regard to the theories which have been advanced in opposition to Religious Belief. What has been accomplished has advantaged Religion as well as Science, and has brought about a truer appreciation of the results of Scientific inquiry. 3. It is gratifying to see the increase in the number of Scientific Societies and other Public Bodies exchanging or purchasing the Transactions. 4. The Library of Reference is becoming larger, but its value to Members renders it desirable that the fund for the purchase of books should be augmented. 5. The following is the new list of the Vice-Presidents and Council: President. Professor G. G. STOKES, M.A., D.C.L., President of the Royal Society. Vice-Presidents. Sir H. BARKLY, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., F.R.S. Sir RISDON BENNETT, M.D., F.R.S. Sir JOSEPH FAYRER, K.C.S.I., F.R.S. Hon. Auditors.-G. CRAWFURD HARRISON, Esq.; J. ALLEN, Esq. Hon. Sec.-Capt. FRANCIS W. H. PETRIE, F.G.S., &c. Trustees. Sir ROBERT N. FOWLER, Bart., M.P.; R. BAXTER, Esq. ALFRED V. NEWTON, ESQ. Council. A. J. WOODHOUSE, Esq., M.R.I., Rev. Principal RIGG, D.D. Rev. Prebendary C. A. Row, M.A. Rev. G. W. WELDON, M.A., M.B. Professor H. A. NICHOLSON, M.D. J. F. LA TROBE BATEMAN, Esq. The BISHOP of BEDFORD. Rev. F. W. TREMLETT, D.C.L. R. H. GUNNING, Esq., M.D., F.R.S.E. 6. In recording the names of those whose support has been lost to the Institute through death, the first must be that of Anthony Ashley Cooper, K.G., seventh Earl of Shaftesbury. In him the Institute loses one whom it is impossible adequately to replace: the one under whose auspices it was planned and founded, he accepted the position of President, and continued to discharge its duties as no one else could: with a name a household word in every land, his presidency was a strength to the Institute wherever it sought adherents, and the interest he took in its welfare encouraged and aided many a worker in its cause. The Institute has also to regret the decease of the following valued supporters : Sir G. W. Allen, K.C.M.G., M.; J. N. Arnold, Esq., A.; The Ven. Archdeacon Carey, M.A., A.; Dr. T. Colan, M.D., Inspector-General of Fleets, F.A.; Rev. F. S. C. Chalmers, D.D., A.; Rt. Rev. Bishop Cotterill, D.D., A., of the value of whose contributions to the Transactions it is impossible to speak too highly; Rev. T. N. Farthing, M.A., A.; Rev. J. Fisher, D.D., A.; S. W. Francis, Esq., A.M., M.D., M.; James A. Fraser, Esq., M.D. Inspector-General of Hospitals, F.M., a most untiring member of Council, to whose valuable services the Institute has long been much indebted. Miss Victoria Gibb, A.; Rev. Sir G. Glyn, Bart., F.M.; Rev. J. Hotham, A.; W. P. James, Esq., F.L.S., M., who took special interest in the Institute's work and did much to enhance the value of its Journal; Right Rev. Bishop Poole, D.D., A.; Rev. Canon J. Simpson, LL.D., A. Rt. Hon. Lord Teignmouth, F.R.S., M.; J. Hornsby Wright, Esq., F.L.M. *** M. Member; A. Associate; F.M. Foundation Member; L. Life. ; 7. The following is a statement of the changes which have occurred: 8. The Treasurer's Balance Sheet for the year ending December 31, 1885, audited by two specially-qualified unofficial Members, shows a balance in hand of £13. 13s. 8d., after the payment of the liabilities for the year. The amount invested in New Three per Cent. Annuities is £1,365. 18s. 9d. * 3 Members and 10 Associates struck off. 9. THE EARLY PAYMENT OF THE YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTIONS CONTRIBUTES SO MUCH TO THE SUCCESS OF THE YEAR'S WORK that no subscriptions should remain unpaid after the first quarter in the year (see also Rules). 10. The arrears of subscription are as follow:- Members 1879. 1880. 1882. 1883. 1884. 1885. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7.-"The Unreasonableness of Agnosticism." By J. HASSELL, Esq. MONDAY, JANUARY 4.-"On the Historical Evidences of the Migration of Abram." With readings from newly-deciphered Inscriptions. By W. ST. CHAD BOSCAWEN, F.R. Hist.S. Numerous Notes and additional matter by Professor SAYCE, and comments by Professor CHEYNE, Mr. E. A. W. BUDGE, M.A., and others. (Meeting held at the Society of Arts' House.) MONDAY, JANUARY 18.-"The Samoan Traditions of the Creation and the Deluge." By Rev. T. POWELL, F.L.S. Agnosticism." By Rev. H. J. CLARKE. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15.— "Final Cause." By Professor DABNEY. "On the Hittite Monuments." By the Rev. Canon ISAAC TAYLOR, D.D. (Postponed on account of the Author's illness.) MONDAY, MARCH 1.-"Miracles." By the Rey. H. C. M. WATSON, M.A. MONDAY, MARCH 15.-Lecture on "The Negroid Races." By Rev. H. A. ALLEN, M.A. MONDAY, APRIL 5.-"The Accounts of Creation among Nations." By (the late) W. P. JAMES, F.L.S., with remarks by W. ST. C. BOSCAWEN, Esq., and others. MONDAY, APRIL 19. "The Meteorology of Syria and Palestine." By Prof. G. E. POST, M.A., M.D., F.L.S., &c.; and a Paper by W. ST. C. BOSCAWEN, Esq. MONDAY, MAY 3.—“ On the Geographical Names of the list of Thothmes III., which may be referred to Galilee." By Professor G. MASPERO, with remarks by Sir Charles WILSON, R.E., C.M.G., F.R.S., and Captain CLAUDE REIGNIER CONDER, R.E. MONDAY, MAY 17.-"On the Connection between Jewish, Phoenician and Early Greek Arts and Architecture.” By the Rev. J. LESLIE PORTER, D.D., L.L.D., President of Queen's College, Belfast. Comments by TRELAWNEY SAUNDERS, Esq., J. D. CRACE, Esq., and others. FRIDAY, MAY 28.-The Annual Address. "Notes on some of the results arrived at by members of the Expedition to Arabia Petrea and Western Palestine." By EDWARD HULL, LL.D., F.R.S., Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland. (Meeting held at the Society of Arts' House.) Publications. 12. The nineteenth volume of the Journal of Transactions has been issued, and, judging from the opinions already passed upon it, is certainly not regarded as inferior to those that have preceded it. It may be added that among the most satisfactory portion of the large home, foreign and colonial correspondence of the Institute is that in which the writers speak of the very great value of the Journal to Members and others; such letters come from the United States, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, South Africa, and wherever the Institute has made its way. 13. In delivering lectures, the Members of the Institute, both at home and abroad, make increasing use of the Journal (every paper in which is printed under the superintendence of its own author); they also find the library of reference of much use. Translations. 14. Portions of the Journal are now translated into many foreign languages. Members abroad may do much to help the Institute's aims by encouraging the translation of useful papers in their respective localities. The Special Fund. 15. The Special Fund is used-I. To extend the library of reference-useful to Members of the Institute, and for lending to Members preparing lectures, &c.-II. To make the Institute more widely known.-III. To publish summaries of the Institute's important work throughout the world.-IV. For organising the publication of the People's Edition at home and abroad. The twelve papers in the People's Edition are now on sale throughout the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, in the South African Colonies, and Canada. As regards India, increased support to the Special Fund is necessary to make efficient action possible. 1 |