Two Essays only have been read before the 

 Society since the last annual meeting. The first, • 

 a highly interesting one, was on the subject of 

 Literary Societies, by an honorary member, Mr. 

 J. W. RoBiNsox, of London, who has so often, so 

 ably, and so successfully employed himself in 

 promoting the objects, of this institution. The 

 second was on the curious subject of Phrenology, 

 by the Rev. Joseph Ketley, giving a brief outline 

 of its history and principles, which were described 

 and elucidated in an able and interesting manner, 

 affording no small gratification to a large and 

 respectable audience. 



At the close of the general meeting held on the 

 2nd of March, after the reading of Mr. Robinson's 

 Essay, R. Campion, Esq. favoured the company 

 by communicating Mr. Storey's report of the view 

 of the line for the projected Railway along the vale 

 of the Esk into Cleveland, to join the Stockton 

 and Darlington line. The report presented so 

 favourable a prospect of success, as to lead to a 

 subscription being set on foot for the purpose of 

 defraying the expense of making a proper survey, 

 plan, section, and estimate. A branch line to the 

 vale of Pickering, has since been projected ; and 

 although large sums of money would be required 

 for the accomplishment of such extensive works, 

 yet as the future prosperity of the town and neigh- 

 bourhood of Whitby, depends so much upon them^ 



