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young students of nature, and, ]* introducing them to those who 

 have been able and willing to assist thorn, has given a T( sh spring 

 and impetus to their zoal. It b given ; ,1 of us many t/uly .iappy, 

 enjoyable, and profitable days ; and, which I consider by no means 

 the least oi its benefits, it has made rs all better acquainted with 

 the objects of most Interest, whether of nature or art, in our own 

 county. But much as this is for a small rural Club to be thankful 

 for we may say yet more. We do not boast that Sir Thomas 

 Tancred, or any here, originated the idea of such a Club. I believe 

 that, in almost every point, it was a simple imitation of that founded 

 in the North, by Sir "William Jardine, Mr. Selby, and Dr. Granville. 

 But, I believe that ours was the first of these field Clubs in the 

 South of England, and that the "Woolhope, Worcestershire, Malvern, 

 "Warwickshire aye, and even Sussex and Kentish Clubs have been 

 encouraged to commence, from seeing how well ours has prospered, 

 and we feel ourselves strengthened and encouraged by a bond of 

 union with similar societies dispersed over all England. 



But let us refer to our meetings of last summer, for, imperfect as 

 my notices of our gatherings may be, I believe that even such a 

 slight record of the principal objects of interest to be seen in the dif- 

 ferent localities, where we have met, is of value, as serving to call 

 the attention of future visitors to the same spot. 



On April the 27th, the Club gave both honour and pleasure to 

 its President, by acceding to liis request, and holding the winter 

 meeting at Hardwicke. He had urged this experiment because he 

 had long felt that there were, in different parts of the country where 

 the Club might wish to meet, many gentlemen who would gladly 

 exercise hospitality, were it not that the independent feeling (which 

 I trust the Club will always maintain) forbids its being a burden 

 to any one. 



Your President was anxious to show that, if others were not too 

 proud to follow his example, this difficulty might be easily over- 

 come. He therefore requested the Club to dine with him, paying 

 the usual 3s. 6d. each for dinner, and he had great satisfaction 

 afterwards, in handing to the Secretary an account of the total cost 

 of meat, bread, vegetables, servants to wait, &c., &c., of the dinner, 

 shewing a balance of nearly a pound due to the Club funds. He 

 would most gladly see this example followed. 



The party, before dinner, walked through the grounds, and up 

 Hawklow, Oakleigh or Hockley Hill, on the side of which a Tenant 

 Farmer called their attention to some most hopeless-looking pasture. 

 A slight examination at the time, led to a correspondence and a more 

 careful analysis of the soil, on which a course of treatment was 

 recommended. This is now being carefully carried out on certain 

 marked spots of the field, and the result remains to be seen. If it 

 fails being only carried out on small portions the risk is small. 

 If it succeed, not only that Farmer, but many another Farmer 

 and JLandlord too, may feel grateful for the visit of the Cotteswold 

 Club. 



