THE COUNCIL 7 



In following out the Resolution of the last Annual Meeting 

 relative to the lease of the Manor Shore, the Council has 

 found on the part of the Government every desire to forward 

 the objects of the Society, as far as the law allows ; but new 

 circumstances have arisen, which rendered it inexpedient to 

 adopt a definitive arrangement without once more appealing 

 to the general body of the Society. It appears, after full con- 

 sideration, and especially after examination of the stipulations 

 in the draft of the lease, that it will be more advantageous 

 to the Society to effect the negociation for obtaining possession 

 of the remainder of the Manor Shore by purchase rather 

 than by lease. A real possession of the ground, the power 

 to turn it to useful purposes in harmony with the situation 

 and with the objects of the Institution, is not to be had by 

 lease from the crown, either for 33 or 99 years ; the former 

 is too short a tenure, the latter encumbered with restrictions 

 directly at variance with the clearest objects of the Society. 

 Regarded, moreover, as a question of profitable investment of 

 money, the Council is of opinion that the purchase of more 

 than five acres of ground, with houses, &c. adjoining the Ruin 

 and the Museum Garden, for .£'2,500. is more advantageous 

 than a lease for 99 years at £^0. per annum, with stipulations 

 to erect permanent edifices of the value of ^£"2,500. * 



But one thing remains to be presented to the Meeting be- 

 fore proceeding to consider this important question — the State 

 of the Society's Finances. 



* The Council was authorized by the Annual Meeting to purchase 

 the ground. 



