On some previous occasions when we have had schoolmaster presidents they have told us about the events of the early years of our Association.

Canon Wilson, who addressed us about twenty-five years ago, was an original member; he taught mathematics not far from here, at Rugby. Mr. Siddons told us of the beginning of mathematics in some well-known schools in the nineteenth century; he was himself a pupil of another of our original members, Rawdon Levett, who taught for thirty-four years at King Edward’s School in this city. Levett was our first secretary, and when he retired the president attributed to him a full share of the credit for our initial successes. He was a schoolmaster of genius: one of the greatest teachers of his time. It is natural that we should think of him this year when we are meeting in Birmingham. Two years ago, Mr. Bushell, the son of another original member, told us about the last century of school mathematics.