, , ... ♦ L A meeting of the Philosophical Society was held in the lecture-room of the Museum on on the 26th April, about 50 members being present. Dr. Hector presided. The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting and the following list of new members elected:—The Rev. H. V. White, Rev. A. Dasent, Dr. Dakers, Dr. Cole, Messrs E. Senn, F. V. Waters, and J. P. McAllister. The following new books have been added to the library :—“ Science Gossip, 1887” (purchased); “Nature,” Vol. XVII., No. 434 (presented by Mr Hulke. The library now possesses Vol. I. to date); “New Zea land Practical Agriculturist, 1882,” (pur chased); “ Official Record of the Sydney Inter national Exhibition, 1879” (presented by the Commissioners); “ Official Record of the Mel bourne International Exhibition, 1880-81.” The Rev. H. Vere White, M.A., read an original paper on the question, “ Does Morality depend upon Free Will ?” After alluding to the length of time during which this subject had furnished material for controversy, Mr White proceeded to criticise the views which were now taken, and to expose what he termed “ the mistakes and ambiguities” which would lend even a shadow of plausibility to the views taken by such men as Owen, who was so much convinced of the connection between free-will and the ordinary notions of our moral responsibility for our actions that he absolutely denied the latter, and thought it unjust to punish criminals for acts which they could not help committing. Writers like the late Dean Mansel, who say that they are quite right in connecting the ideas of moral responsi bility and freedom of the will, and that the former becomes a delusion if the latter be dis proved, were themselves guilty of the careless ness for the cause of morality of which they accuse their opponents, and they were further guilty of gambling with the eternal laws of right and wrong. When a determinist says that he is able to do right and wrong, he means that within certain limits he is able to do as he likes, and he judges the right and wrong of his conduct by this. Whatever hidden springs impel a man in any direction, he is held responsible for his choice, and to be judged by it, and it alone. This is what the free-wilier denies. 