Address by the secretary of the Literary and Scientific Institute of Malta

Abstract

Ladies and Gentlemen, Our President bas devolved upon me the duty of addressing the Members in closing the Session 1854-55.-He has most indefatigably borne his share of labor through the season, both in his official capacity and as a popular Lecturer: and our best thanks are due to him for sustaining us by his cheerful spirit. He claims his discharge from our ships books as President, but I feel disposed to accord him (as far as I have a voice in Council) only leave of absence:-a run as Jack says, for Capt. Graves assures us he has-no wish that to pay the Ship off. And indeed the Ship shall not be paid off. Nearly one hundred and fifty Members substantially record their adhesion to us: and avail themselves of the means placed at our disposal for intellectual recreation and improvement: and we have from time to time seen that Members can and will attend our meetings when our Lecturers strike out on subjects adapted to woo or win them in the interests of Literature and Science. Our Session has not been characterised by any thing very remarkable :-There have been no disputes or bickerings and little excitement. This is as it should be: and specially so when in the external world the passions of men are engaged in an arduous conflict. Men require to be called off from excitement; and it is a remarkable fact that periods of public controversy have been characterised by the opening up of the deep springs of thought in the breasts of philosophers; and the silver stream of poesy has flowed tranquilly, never more so in our own national annals than in times of commotion and strife!