177 



our Society has been hitherto redeemed, by the valuable and im- 

 portant work done by the able observers and skilful Naturalists it is 

 our good fortune to rank amongst our members. It will suffice to 

 mention the names of Wright, Buckmann, Jones, Lycett, Brodie, and 

 Symonds, to recall at once names of writers well known in the 

 scientific annals of the country, and of whom some have by their 

 works obtained a more than European reputation. 



To preserve such a Society in its full vigour and activity, is no 

 light responsibility for any individual, let his accomplishments or 

 fitness for the task be what they may ; and it was with the utmost 

 diffidence, and with a heavy sense of the importance of the charge, 

 that I permitted myself to be nominated for the office of President at 

 the commencement of our last season ; and this sense of responsi- 

 bility was in no degree lessened by the fact, that I was called upon 

 to succeed in office, one of the most justly popular Presidents that 

 ever conducted the affairs of any similar association. My predecessor, 

 Mr. Barwick Baker, was at the birth and founding of this Society ; 

 indeed, I may say, that in conjunction with our amiable friend, Sir 

 Thomas Tancred, he was our parent and founder "fons et origo" 

 and during thirteen years, in the course of which, hig supervision 

 never relaxed, nor was his tact found wanting ; he saw it grow and 

 gather strength, until our reputation stood amongst the highest 

 of similar societies, and our example becoming contagious, gave rise 

 to vigorous off-shoots in the neighbouring Counties, of which the 

 Field Clubs of Woolhope, Malvern, "Worcester, and Warwick are 

 living and flourishing evidences. 



With the strong sense then that I entertained of the disadvan- 

 tage of following such a predecessor, I may well be believed, when 

 I assert that it w as with hesitation and reluctance that I consented 

 to accept the office of President of the Cotteswold Club. Relying, 

 however, upon the kind support of the members, and on the in- 

 valuable assistance of our able and indefatigable Secretary, Mr. 

 Jones, I undertook the duties of the office, and I am thankful to say, 

 that thus sustained, I have found my task comparatively easy ; and 

 at this, the termination of my year of office, although, as I have 

 said, our proceedings have not been illustrated to any extent by 

 written contributions, yet I can point with satisfaction to the work 

 accomplished, to the healthy and vigorous condition of the Club, to 

 our increased numbers, and to the undiminished interest in our 

 proceedings, as testified by the usually full attendance at the 

 different places of meeting. 



The annual Meeting of the Club was held at the " Ram Inn," 

 Gloucester, on the 15th of February, 1859, when T. B. LI. Baker, 

 Esq., after reading an address reviewing the proceedings of the past 

 year, to the regret of the Club, vacated the Presidential chair, 

 Professor Buckman at the same time retiring from the post of 

 Secretary. 



W. V. Guise, of t Elmore Court, was then elected President, and 

 John Jones, of Gloucester, Secretary, for the ensuing year. 



