THE COUNCIL. 7 



for these seeds, and having found thera in a more perfect 

 state, has verified the conjecture. Such information as 

 •was thus accidentally exchanged between this sagacious 

 foreigner and the Society, it will hereafter be part of the 

 office of the Keeper of the Museum to give and to receive. It 

 is unnecessary to point out to the Meeting, in how many other 

 respects this appointment promises to prove advantageous to 

 the interests of an establishment, whose growing concerns 

 already require more constant attention, than the spare time 

 of its unsalaried officers can possibly afford. 



Of the salary attached to the office, one half has been 

 provided, for the ensuing year, by private subscription, 

 the Society's funds being at present inadequate to defray the 

 whole expense, without too great a sacrifice of other objects. 

 In what manner the deficiency is to be hereafter supplied, 

 ■will be matter for the future consideration of the Society. 



But the most important subject to which the Council have to 

 call the attention of the Meeting, is the progress which has 

 been made, towards obtaining an adequate Building for the 

 Museum and other objects of the Society. The site for such a 

 building, which they have anxiously exerted themselves to pro- 

 cure, is the ground adjoining to the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey. 

 The position of the Manor-shore, quiet, yet not remote, the ex- 

 tent of unoccupied ground which it offers, and even its scenery, 

 and the interest inspired by the venerable moimments of anti- 

 quity which surround it, combine to render it the most fortunate 

 situation which could be chosen for a Philosophical Institu- 

 tion. With these views, applications were made on behalf of 

 the Society, to Lord Grantham, who holds the ground by 



