When this Society elected its first Honorary President, and in so doing paid a fitting compliment to one who had taken the leading part in its formation, his reply to the request that he would undertake the office was, “I have never in my life received any mark of approbation and esteem which has given me greater pleasure.”

I do not know that any words of mine could more fittingly express the feelings with which I received your invitation to take this Chair; but, if I were to add anything to the expression, it would be to say how sensible I am of the honour of holding a position which has been filled by so many eminent members of our profession.

If during the considerable period of my connection with the Society I have been able to show in any useful way my warm interest in its welfare, I am more than repaid by finding that I have gained in some measure your confidence and esteem.

In considering how best to discharge the duty which a time-honoured and excellent custom has associated with the office of President, I was led to think that your time might be profitably occupied in taking a glance at our past history as a Society, and at our present position, and trying to gather from the survey some useful lessons for the future.