Page:Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute - Volume 1 (2nd ed.).djvu/16

2 of Western civilization were marvellous; it was something to see in Egypt,—the cradle of learning, and the tomb of a past civilization,—Western Europe taking back to her the results of a little seed which ages ago had been sown on the banks of the mighty Nile. In Greece the same metamorphosis was in progress. Rome, too, was being elevated from its ruins. This truly was a great fact,—it was also gratifying. We in New Zealand were not behindhand, but were engaged in the "heroic work" described by Lord Bacon in the words quoted by His Excellency;—we were here to lay the basis of a true civilization; not only to subdue nature and till the soil, but, impelled by Anglo-Saxon ardour and energy, to develop all that was worthy of development. It was not usual to offer a vote of thanks on such occasions, but as Sir G. Bowen had evinced so deep an interest in the Institute, be (Mr. Fox) would call on the assembly to express their gratification by acclamation; which was cordially responded to.

His Excellency thanked Mr. Fox heartily for his eloquent speech, and referred to the gratification which he (Sir Gr. Bowen) had felt in examining a most valuable series of sketches which Mr. Fox had lent to the Museum, as one of the results of his recent travels. It gave him great pleasure to take part in reunions of that kind, and to meet the members of all political parties on the neutral ground of Science and Literature. He was sure that all present rejoiced with him at the presence among them that evening of an officer of the Imperial Navy of France, of that great navy which had sent forth to the exploration of the Southern Seas a La Perouse, a Baudin, a Bougainville, a D'Entrecasteaux, and other famous seamen worthy to stand in history by the side of our own immortal navigator Captain Cook. He (the Governor) would remind the audience that next year a hundred years would have elapsed since Captain Cook first set his foot on the shores of New Zealand, and he would suggest that some celebration of this centenary should take place under the auspices of the Institute. As he had said before reading his inaugural address, he was glad to see present so many of the fair votaries of science, and he would address them in all seriousness in the words of one of the greatest thinkers as well as soldiers and statesmen that the world had ever seen: one, too, who was not liable to be swayed in matters of thought by the charms of female society. Napoleon Buonaparte had said, "Almost everything in the future man depends on his mother." If, then, study is requisite for the men who are to rule the world, is it not also requisite for those who are to form the men?—whose blessed duty it is to instil those early habits of industry and lessons of virtue on which the future destiny of life depends. It is thus that women will best discharge