Society, a liberality which it is hoped will be followed 

 in future Sessions. 



The First Course delivered during the Session 

 consisted of Four Lectures by Mr. C. Cowden Claeke, 

 " On the Subordinate Characters in the Plays of Shak- 

 spere." This Course was highly attractive, as was 

 evinced by an increased attendance on each successive 

 evening. 



The Second Series consisted of Two Readings from 

 Shakspere, by Miss Kelly, for which the Society was 

 mainly indebted to the public spirit of fifteen of its 

 Members, who raised a guarantee fund, in addition to 

 the small grant of five guineas from the funds of the 

 Society, in order to secure the services of that dis- 

 tinguished lady. " The Merchant of Venice," and 

 " Othello," were the two plays selected, and the taste, 

 spirit, and discrimination of character, with which they 

 were read gave much satisfaction to overflowing 

 audiences. 



These Readings were followed by a most interesting 

 Course of Three Lectures " On Scottish Poetry, up to 

 the close of the Eighteenth Century," by the Rev! Wm. 

 Sinclair, A.M.,the President^which. his intimate acquaint- 

 ance with the habits and feelings of the poets and people 

 of Scotland enabled him to give with great point and 

 pathos. The Lectures were highly appreciated, and 

 attracted crowded audiences. A great desire has been 

 expressed that Mr. Sinclair may be induced to give 



