8 REPORT OF THE 



in the upper part of the building, for displaying to more advantage 

 the numerous Roman Antiquities connected with the ancient history 

 of the City of York, 



These alterations, however, could not be undertaken without 

 incurring considerable expense, but the Council did not hesitate to 

 enter upon them. The most rigid economy having been exercised 

 for the last few years, a great reduction has taken place in the 

 amount of the Society's debt, and there is now a considerable 

 surplus in the ordinary annual receipts over the expenditure, which 

 may be applied to the purpose of these improvements. 



It will likewise be advisable for the Council to purchase a certain 

 number of Specimens, in order to complete some of the most in- 

 teresting groups, and supply several vacancies, which it is not 

 probable the Society can otherwise fill \vp. 



It could not be expected that, with the limited funds at its 

 disposal, the Society could undertake to defray the heavy expenses 

 which will be incurred in receiving the British Association. The 

 Council, therefore, prepared a circular letter, which they addressed 

 to the principal gentlemen in the county, soliciting contributions 

 for that purpose; and they are happy to state that the amount 

 already received renders it certain that no loss will be sustained by 

 the Society. The appeal which the Council has made to the 

 County of York, has indeed been every where most favourably 

 received, and they cannot allow this opportunity to pass without 

 returning their thanks to their numerous friends, who have so 

 generously come forward to their support, at a time when so many 

 calls of a more pressing nature are being made upon them. 



An Act was passed during the last Session of Parliament, to 

 exempt Scientific Societies from the payment of all local rates. 

 This Act came into operation in October last, and the Council lost 

 no time in taking the necessary steps to enable the Society to avail 

 itself of this exemption. The Society will therefore in future be 

 relieved from the payment of a tax which has pressed very heavily 

 upon it, amounting to a sum little short of £30. per annum, or 

 nearly 5 per cent, upon its ordinary annual income. 



In presenting a statement of the accounts of the Society for the 

 past year, the Council have little to remark. The receipts are 

 almost entirely confined to the usual sources of income, and the 



