PLATE XXIV MODEL WOODEN TIME BALL G N P P Elevation of the Wooden Time-Ball with the Ball hauled up ready for dropping. The above when the trigger has been pulled has allowed the dropping weight F to act. Professor KELLAND'S Address as President at opening Session 1853-54. GENTLEMEN,—In occupying this chair for the last time, it is my first duty to thank you sincerely for the honour you have done me in placing me here, and for the forbearance with which my imperfect presidence over the Society has been tolerated. I assure you I am truly sensible of the kindness which suggested me for the position, and which has retained me in it. The next duty which devolves on me is to pay a tribute to those of our members who have been removed from us by death since our last anniversary. We have lost Mr L'Amy, sheriff of Forfarshire, who thrice filled the President's chair, at a time when it was usually assigned to noblemen, and when the office was merely honorary. Under our new system Mr L'Amy discharged the duties both of President and of Vice-President with great acceptance to the Society. He took an active part, along with the Secretary, in obtaining for the Society the capital sum of £400 which forms the foundation of the Keith Prize. His loss is deeply to be regretted. William Murray, Esq., of Henderland, became a Fellow in the year 1834, and, with his learned and warmhearted brother, Lord Murray, always took a lively interest in the Society's proceedings. Not in this room only, but throughout the city, will the death of this excellent man be sorely felt. Mr Kemp, a young chemist, who gave promise of advancing the science to which he was attached by his great ability, has been removed from us at an early age. Besides these the Society has lost several who were contributors to the business of its meetings, such as Mr Robertson, mining-engineer, who gave us valuable papers on Railway Signals and on Persian Tools; and Mr Wightman, contractor, who made an excellent communication on his Derrick Crane. I turn now to the more pleasing duty of congratulating the Society on the results of its labours during the past session. The communications we have received have been both numerous and valuable, and have been listened to by goodly assemblages of men capable of judging of their VOL. IV. U |