Annual Address to the Cotteswold Naturalists' Field Club, read ly 

 T. B. LL. BAKES, President, at Gloucester. 



BEAD FEBBUABY 16, 1859. 



AOAIK my friends have we met, and again does it fall to my duty to 

 record, however briefly and imperfectly, the transactions of our Club. 

 You will forgive me, I am sure, if, on this occasion, I go back 

 somewhat farther than usual, to the time when Sir Thomas Tancred 

 who, though he never would take any other title than that of 

 Secretary, so long as he staid with us, was the real author and 

 manager of our Club, first called together, in July, 1846, a small 

 party at the " Black Horse " on Birdlip Hill, and in the course of a 

 walk through Witcombe Woods, the Roman Villa, and Cooper's 

 Hill, shewed us how much enjoyment and instruction might be 

 gained by a simple ramble through beautiful scenery, in company 

 with several men who are all more or less skilled ; but at least, all 

 interested in that glorious study of nature, in whose honour our 

 meetings are held. On that day, when the sun shone fairly on us, 

 and all went smoothly, we first felt the charm of such meetings in 

 fine weather. But, on our next meeting, when we essayed a Forest 

 ramble, and spite of torrents of rain such as the skies of the Forest 

 can produce when they please spent a really enjoyable day, then, 

 indeed, we felt that our love for nature was not a mere fair weather 

 fancy, but one that would stand the test of winter and rough 

 weather. 



From that time, for now thirteen years, have we enjoyed our five 

 or six meetings per annum. Our Club has been as full as we 

 thought it prudent to allow ; it has been the moan* of bringing 

 together many men of eminent talents, and uniting them in a common 

 band, and it has, I believe, also been the means of encouraging many 

 VOL. n. Q 



