6 



f o be proposed to the present Meeting, viz. " That 

 the 11th Rule be set aside (saving the privileges 

 of the Gentlemen to whom it applies now resident 

 in Whitby), and that the following Regulation be 

 substituted in its place : — * The Museum shall be 

 open to the public, one day in each month, under 

 such restrictions as the Council may deem 

 necessary."* 



This liberal measure may seem, at first sight, to 

 militate against the interests of the Society : but 

 as it will serve to gratify and interest the public, 

 it may be expected to produce a considerable 

 increase of donations, and even procure the sup- 

 port of additional Members or Subscribers. 

 Similar Institutions, in other parts, have found by 

 experience that nothing is lost by such liberality 

 towards the public. 



Of the Lectures and Essays with which the 

 Society has been favoured this year, it is not 

 necessary to speak particularly : all of them were 

 interesting and useful. One Lecture, however, 

 that of the Rev. Dr. Scoresby, on Magnetism, 

 requires to be specially noticed ; not only for its 

 intrinsic worth, but the friendly purpose for which 

 it was given. The proceeds of the Lecture were 

 devoted to the Institution, to aid in paying the 

 debts incurred by improving the Museum; and 

 your Council are happy to observe, that the pro- 

 ceeds, deducting expenses, realized the sum of 



* This Regulation was unanimously adopted by the Public Meeting. 



