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.)
S. E. DAWSON ON TENNYSON.
[59] Page 40.—"A Study, with Critical and Explanatory Notes, of Lord Tennyson's Poem, The Princess." By S. E. Dawson. Montreal, 1882, 12mo. 2nd ed. 1884. The preface contains a long and interesting letter from the poet, which "throws some light upon some important literary questions regarding the manner and method of the poet's working." Tennyson describes the "Study" truly as an "able and thoughtful essay."
THE OLD 'CANADIAN MONTHLY.'
[60] Page 40.—It first appeared in Toronto in 1872 (Adam Stevenson & Co.), soon after Prof. Goldwin Smith took up his permanent residence in that western city. Much of its reputation for years necessarily depended on the contributions of a writer who, if he has failed to identify himself of late with the national or Canadian sentiment of the people, has at all events done something in the past to improve the style of Canadian littérateurs and to elevate the tone of journalism. The 'Monthly' was the ablest successor of a long list of literary aspirants in the same field, the majority of which had a still shorter existence. See Bourinot's "Intellectual Development of the Canadian People" (Toronto, 1881), chap. iv. and 'Canadian Monthly,' March, 1881.
FORM OF ROYAL SOCIETY 'TRANSACTIONS.'
[61] Page 42.—Since the delivery of the presidential address the Royal Society decided by a considerable majority—chiefly made up of the two scientific sections—to continue the quarto form for the present. Under these circumstances the compromise suggested may be adopted—that of printing separate editions of important monographs and works from time to time by some understanding with the author.
THE STUDY OF THE CLASSICS.
[62] Page 49.—The following is a fuller quotation from Prof. Goldwin Smith's very apposite remarks delivered before the Classical Association of Ontario (see 'The Week,' April 28th, 1893): "No age has stood more in need of humanizing culture than this, in which physical culture reigns. One of the newspapers the other day invited us to take part in a symposium the subject of which was 'How to Produce a Perfect Man.' The problem was large, but one help to its solution might have been a reminder to keep the balance. A romantic age stands in need of science, a scientific and utilitarian age stands in need of the humanities. Darwin avows that poetry gave him no pleasure whatever. This surely was a loss, unless the whole side of things which poetry denotes is dead and gone, nothing but dry science being left us; in which case the generations that are coming may have some reason, with all their increase of knowledge and power, to wish that they had lived nearer the youth of the world." See supra, Note 1, for Mr. Lowell's remarks on the same subject.
CANADIAN LIBRARIES.