COUNCIL FOR 185G. 15 



gratuitous admission brings a promiscuous crowd to the 

 Museum, by whom the narrow space between the collections 

 is so completely filled, that no one can be allowed to remain 

 long enough to examine any object which may attract his 

 attention; and, as a measure of safety, it has been found 

 necessary to close the staircase which leads to the skeleton-room 

 and the bird-room. It is evident that a large proportion of the 

 visitors come with no purpose of self-improvement, and, that 

 those who do, cannot obtain any considerable benefit from 

 such a hurried and incommodious view. The small sum 

 proposed for admission, while it kept away those who came 

 merely for a holiday stroll, would not exclude any, even in the 

 humblest classes, who desired to gratify a rational curiosity. 



From the Treasurer's Report it will appear that the income 

 of the year has exceeded its expenditure ; and that after the 

 balance due to him, from the three preceding years, has been 

 fully liquidated, there remains a considerable surplus. The 

 financial position of the Society is, therefore, favourable. 

 Mr. Charlesworth's exertions to obtain new subscribers, 

 alluded to in the Report of last year, have been again emi- 

 nently successful. In the two years, ending February 1855, 

 only 18 admissions took place ; in the two years ending this 

 day, and including the admissions at the present meeting, 

 they are 75, besides two memberships renewed after resigna- 

 tion. It must be remembered, too, that nearly all who have 

 been admitted since the change in the law, pay three poimds 

 during the three first years of their membership. It is 

 certainly not to be expected that this rate of increase should 

 be maintained ; but it may be hoped, at least, that the number 

 of members may be kept up to the present amount — 358. 



When it was proposed to Mr. Charlesworth to add the 

 duties of Assistant Secretary to those of Keeper of the 

 Museum, the salaiy originally suggested was £250 ; but the 

 state of the finances at that time rendered it unadvisable to 

 offer him more than £200. The Council are strongly im- 

 pressed with the conviction, that it is of primary importance 

 to the prosperity and reputation of the Society to possess the 

 services of a man of scientific attainments and liberal educa- 



