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most humble implements, or a single previously unobserved fact, than to violate our own laws by bringing before the public subjects which, though interesting and popular, have been already published by other societies. Let our meetings show a little that is good and original, rather than become an echo of the proceedings of other bodies. In this way will our Transactions be always prized as a body of valuable, original, and authoritative information.

While again returning thanks for the honour you have done me, allow me, in conclusion, to refer to the recommendation of the Council, that a gentleman should occupy this chair who is in every way deserving of such an office, having long given much time and attention to our proceedings, as well as contributed valuable papers to our Transactions.

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APPENDIX (A).

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF ARTS, SESSION 1856-57.

The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts was held on Monday, 24th November 1856, in the Society's Hall, George Street,-Professor George Wilson, President of the Society, in the Chair.

1. The President's opening Address. (Printed in the Transactions, ante, p. 1.)

2. The Interim Report of the Prize Committee awarding the Prizes for Session 1855-56 was read, and the Prizes delivered by the President to the successful Candidates. See Appendix (C).

The Models, Drawings, &c., of Inventions, &c., for which Prizes, &c., have been awarded were exhibited.

The following Donations were laid on the Table, viz. :—

1. A Catalogue of 7385 Stars, chiefly in the Southern Hemisphere, prepared from Observations made in the years 1822-1826, at the Observatory at Paramata, New South Wales, founded by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bart., K.C.B., F.R S., F.R.S.E. Printed by order of the Admiralty (London, 1835), 4to, pp. 311. Presented by General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bart., K.C.B., &c., &c., of Brisbane and Makerstoun. (3758.)

2. The Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art. New Series, No. 1. Toronto, January 1856, 8vo, pp. 96. Presented by the Canadian Institute. (3762.)

Thanks voted to the Donors.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

I. The Minutes of last Meeting were read and approved.

VOL. V. APP.

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II. The following Candidates were elected Ordinary Fellows, viz. :—

1. Edwin Daniel Chattaway, locomotive engineer, Meadowbank House, Edinburgh.

2. William Bain, engineer, 2 Lord Russell Place.

III. On a recommendation from the Council, the following gentleman was elected an Honorary Fellow :

James Nasmyth, Esq., F.R.A.S., engineer, Bridgewater Foundry,
Patricroft, Manchester, and of Pensaurst, Kent.

IV. In terms of Law XV., the Society elected the following Office-Bearers for Session 1856-57, viz. :

Professor GEORGE WILSON, M.D., F.R S.E., President.
ROBERT AYTOUN, Esq., W.S.

PATRICK NEWBIGGING, M.D., F.R.S.E.

Vice-Presidents.

JAMES TOD, Esq., F.R.S.E, W.S., 55 Great King Street, Secretary. JOHN SCOTT MONCRIEFF, Esq., C.A., 20 India Street, Treasurer. EDWARD SANG, Esq., F.R S.E., 2 George St., Editor of Transactions. Mr ALEXANDER JAMIESON, Curator of Museum.

Mr ALEXANDER KIRKWOOD, Medallist.

Mr HUGH JOHNSTON, Officer and Collector.

Ordinary Councillors.

WILLIAM SWAN, Esq., F.R.S.E.
H. W. NACHOт, Ph. D.
David Rhind, Esq., F.R.S.E.
EDWARD SANG, Esq., F.R.S.E.
WILLIAM A. SMAIL, Esq., R.N.
JAMES STARK, M.D., F.R.S.E.

THOMAS BOUCH, Esq., Ç.E.
JAMES LESLIE, Esq., C.E.
JAMES ELLIOT, Esq.
ROBT. H. Bow, Esq., C.E.
FREDERICK HALLARD, Esq.
PROF. C. PIAZZI SMYTH, F.R.S.E.

V. A List of the Office Bearers, and Alphabetical List of the Fellows, as at 1st November 1856, in the order of their admission, was distributed.

The Society then adjourned.

8th December 1856.-Professor George Wilson, M.D., President, in the Chair.

He said

The President addressed the Society on taking the Chair. When the proposition was first made to me to fill this chair a second time, my feeling was at once to decline. I had no personal desire to occupy longer a post which, in a Society constituted as this is, should rarely be filled in consecutive years by the same individual. Neither health nor leisure was mine, in possession or prospect, to tempt me to another year of duty; and I was quite willing to surrender my honours, and become a simple member again. But when I was told that this Society

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