It is a time-honoured custom in this as in other learned societies, that the annual Session shall be inaugurated and its last meeting closed by an address from the Chair, and it is my duty now to say a few words to you on the occasion of the opening of our 106th Session.

I would have shrunk from undertaking this duty, but for the reason that our indefatigable Secretary, Professor Tait, has expiscated the fact that I am the only one of the Society's Vice-Presidents who has never given any address from the Chair, and thus the Council of the Society was led to insert in their minutes a request—almost equivalent to a command—that I should say something to you on the present occasion. I comply with this, not from any feeling that I am qualified to do so, but on the principle that those who accept the honours of the Society have no right to do so without attempting, however imperfectly, to discharge the relative duties.