happy in his avocation-astronomy. Even then, more than fifty years before he died, his articles on astronomy had made him. known in Europe, as a scientific investigator and an original thinker.

Without the use of a great telescope or other scientific apparatus, by observations and mathematical calculations, he reached definite conclusions that enabled him to direct investigators in great observatories to specific conditions, which on at least one occasion led to the discovery of a satellite, although his suggestions were at first treated with little respect. At ninety-two, I found him still vitally interested in original astronomical investigations. JAMES L. HUGHES.

In my youth, when astronomy had become an enthusiasm. with me, an acquaintance advised me to see "old Mr. Elvins". As I had already met him in the "Mammoth House", this was not difficult, and our meeting was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

Not only astronomy, but natural science and problems in religion, furnished subjects of many a delightful discussion and pleasurable intercourse.

Always eager to meet the beginner on his own ground, he never tired in giving help, even in the most elementary matters. His quiet, steady enthusiasm in spreading the knowledge of his favorite study did much to awaken interest in all he came in contact with, and did much, perhaps more, than the effort of any many in Canada, in laying the foundation of the society to which he was devoted.

Memories of the meetings in his house, and later, when the movement had taken definite shape in the form of a society, in the different members' homes; field days of the old Biological Section of the Canadian Institute; or looking for double stars, nebulae, and at the planets with his home-made telescope, come to me with keen pleasure. The central figure and dominating personality of them all is that of my friend.

His first efforts to enlist the help of men of scientific training in the work of the Astronomical Society were not very successful; apparently they looked askance at the efforts of a company of eager amateurs. Eventually, however, men of the highest qualifications learned to appreciate the man at his true worth, and his desire to see the organization placed on a lasting basis was gratified.

In nearly every movement or effort in human affairs, the beginnings can be identified with some outstanding personality. In the case of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, its beginning is clearly identified and inseparable from the personality of Andrew Elvins.

Norval, Ont.

DAVID J. HOWell.

To Andrew Elvins the essence of life was truth. He never ceased to look for the law that links the individual truth with its larger purpose. Recognizing the unity of truth, he could never be illogical. Dwelling in the serene of high contemplation, his mind became in later life so cosmic in its interest that often he forgot the mere mundane to a degree which amused himself as much as any. He could enjoy a joke at his own expense at times. Once he appeared in the street with two hats on his head, and when his partner suggested a look into a mirror, Mr. Elvins was convulsed with merriment at his own expense.

I once met him in a church where liberal Christianity was taught. I asked him if he was a regular attendant there. To a modified affirmative, he added the statement that he never heard there any teaching repugnant to his reason. Naturally, theology had to be spacious if it was to receive a hospitable entrance to the mind of such a man.

As a mineralogist, he pursued his avocation far past middle life with the interest of a boy. Indeed, he was even then much with boys of serious mind in these pursuits. This was but an illustration of the spirit of his life. He always felt warmly the

comradeship of science and made the greatest and the least happy in his presence by giving them to realize in a subtle and almost unconscious way that the truth mattered and nothing else.

In his declining years, he seemed to lose all sense of the flight of time. The world rushed on in its mad strife, but the mind of this sage was not a dweller in the storm. He had already reached the empyrean, and when recalled by some old reminiscence, he seemed somewhat distressed lest his memory should not be able to make for us an accurate record. 'Take him for all in all, we ne'er shall see his like again'.

ALBERT D. WATSON.

MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY

AT OTTAWA

The Annual Meeting of the Ottawa Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada was held on Friday, December 13th, 1918, at the Carnegie Library, Ottawa, the President, Mr. J. J. McArthur, presiding.

The reports of the Treasurer and Secretary were presented and adopted. The books showed a small credit balance, but the membership was less than the previous year on account of the transfer of four of the members to the new branch of the Society opened at Montreal.

The election of officers resulted as follows:

President Mr. C. A. Bigger.

Vice-President-Dr. W. Bell Dawson.

Treasurer Mr. D. B. Nugent.

Secretary Mr. R. M. Motherwell.

Councillors-Mr. Thos. Fawcett.

Dr. R. E. DeLury.

Mr. Albert Hawkins.

These, with the past presidents, Dr. Klotz, Dr. Plaskett, R. M. Stewart, F. A. McDiarmid, and J. J. McArthur, constitute the Executive of the Ottawa Centre of the R.A.S.C. for the year 1919. R. M. MOTHERWELL,

Secretary, Ottawa Centre.,

AT VICTORIA, B.C.

The Annual Meeting of the Victoria Centre was held on the 18th inst., the elected officers of 1919 being as follows:

Hon. President Dr. J. S. Plaskett.

President-W. S. Drewry.

Vice-President-Dr. Young.

Secretary-K. M. Chadwick.

Treasurer-J. P. Hibben.

Executive Committee-Dr. L. Houghton, J. E. Umbach, Miss

Cann, Napier Denison, A. W. McCurdy, F. C. Green.

Auditor-Thomas Shotbolt.

K. M. CHADWICK,

Secretary.

AT WINNIPEG

The Annual Meeting of this Society was held December 18th. The Treasurer's report showed that there were 13 paid-up members, and a balance on hand of $45.99.

The following is a list of officers elected for the coming year:

Honorary President-Frank Powell.

President-H. R. Kingston, M.A., Ph.D.

Vice-President--J. H. Kolb.

Secretary-Treasurer-O. T. Anderson, M.A., B.Sc.

Council-C. E. Bastin, B.A.

J. W. Harris, C.E., D.L.S.

Mrs. Howey.

Professor L. A. H. Warren, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.A.S.
G. H. Herriot, B.Sc., D.L.S.

MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of this Society was held in the rooms at 198 College St., at 8 p.m., January 14, 1919, the President, Mr. A. F. Miller, in the chair.

On motion by Prof. Chant, seconded by A. F. Hunter, it was resolved that the minutes of the last Annual Meeting, having been printed in the JOURNAL, be taken as read and approved.