ng out that without the
administrative capacity and unremitting toil of the Members of
the Executive Committee, and especially of its Chairman, the
eminently satisfactory results which you have reported to me
could not have been attained.

"I learn with much pleasure that, after all expenses are
defrayed, a substantial surplus will remain in your hands.

"The best method of disposing of that surplus is a matter which
will need careful consideration. It would be premature to allude
to any of the various suggestions which have already been put
forward; but I am of opinion that no proposal will be
satisfactory to the public, unless it is immediately directed
towards the carrying out of the objects of the Exhibition from
which the fund is derived; namely, the promotion of the welfare
of Fishermen, Fisheries, and the Fishing Industry in general.

"And I think our duty towards the supporters of the Exhibition
will not be discharged until we have done something towards the
alleviation of the calamities fatally incidental to the
Fisherman's calling; and until we have also done something
towards the promotion of that application of Science to practice
from which the Fishing Industry, like all other industries, can
alone look for improvement.

"I believe, that apart from what may be effected by the
judicious use of the Surplus Fund, the latter end may best be
attained by the formation of a Society, having for its object
the collection of statistics and other information relative to
Fisheries; the diffusion among the fishing population of a
knowledge of all improvements in the methods and appliances of
their calling; the discussion of questions bearing upon Fishing
Interests; and the elucidation of those problems of Natural
History which bear upon the subject. Such a Society, as the
representative of the interests of the Fisheries, would
naturally take charge of the scientific investigations which
bear upon those interests, and would, no doubt, be brought into
relation with the Aquarium which you wisely propose to offer to
the Government, and with the already existing Fishery Museum of
the Department of Science and Art, which is founded on the
Collection bequeathed to the nation by the late Mr. Buckland,
but which has been immensely enlarged and enriched by the
liberality