8 



from the first, anticipate such an increase of 

 income, as would enable them to have a Keeper 

 of the Museum as a permanent office. 



With much regret your Council have to add 

 that we are about to lose the services of another 

 valuable Officer of the Society, Charles Belcher, 

 Esq., who has been, for several years, one of the 

 Curators, and a very efficient IMember of the 

 Council. That a Gentleman who has conferred 

 such important benefits on the Institution, should 

 be removing to another part of the country, must 

 be felt as a painful occurrence. He wiU be fol- 

 lowed with the respectful and affectionate regrets 

 of the Members and friends of the Society, and 

 with their warmest wishes for his happiness. 



While in this year, as in the former, the Institu- 

 tion is losing. some worthy and efficient Members, 

 it is hoped that others will come forward to 

 support it. In Whitby, as in other parts of our 

 enlightened country, the friends of literature and 

 science may be expected to increase. This is not 

 the time for such Institutions to languish. When 

 the triumphs of science are becoming more 

 and more brilliant ; when they are working a 

 mighty revolution in the affiiirs of manufactures 

 and commerce, and even in the intercourse of 

 social life; when, through scientific improvements, 

 a journey from Whitby to the Metropolis can be 

 made in less than a day, and a voyage across the 

 Atlantic in ten days ; when the members of the 



