President's address at the opening of the twenty-sixth session

Abstract

My address last year was devoted to a review of the progress made by this country in wealth, and a comparison of her present condition with her past, based upon reliable statistical information: the conclusion at which I arrived was in all respects a very favourable one. I showed that we could perceive clear indications of rapid growth in material prosperity and general social improvement. During the past year nothing has occurred to alter that condition of things, and it would therefore be unprofitable to travel now over the same ground. It is, indeed, unfortunately the case that the past season has been to us, who sit near ?the melancholy ocean?, unpropitious as to climate, as it has been over many parts of Europe?giving us ground to apprehend that the approaching winter may bring with it a larger amount of distress and poverty than we have seen for some years back. We can only hope that the abundance of past seasons may have led to the accumulation of reserves, which may be now to some considerable extent available to meet this emergency. I propose, therefore, this evening to make a few observations upon the other department which it is the purpose of our Society to cultivate, namely?Jurisprudence and the Amendment of the Law.