If 



fulfil many of its objects with very limited funds, it is obvious 

 that all its efficiency must be lost, if its finances should ever 

 fall short of allowing it to do justice to that liberality. 

 During the past year, the donations received have been dis- 

 posed of, indeed, without disorder and with very little 

 expense ; but this has been effected only by economical con- 

 trivances, which cannot long continue to avail ; and the Meet- 

 ing must be reminded that half the salary of the Keeper of 

 the Museum has been paid by private subscription. By the 

 same method it will be again defrayed for the present year j 

 but the renewal of the subscription cannot b^ counted upon 

 for a longer period. The Meeting will also see, on reference 

 to the Treasurer's report, that tlie income of the last year 

 only rose to a level with the necessary expenses, by including 

 the sums paid on admission by nine new members. It is 

 therefore apparent that the Society cannot maintain itself in 

 its present state of efficiency, without either a considerable 

 addition to its numbers, or some advance of its subscriptions. 

 The Council are fully aware that no greater error can be 

 committed, in an association for the advancement of know- 

 ledge, than to fix its terms too high; and they have been 

 unwilling to propose any advance, while it remains uncertain 

 •what the number of members may ultimately be. In the 

 mean time, they would venture to suggest to all who feel an 

 interest in the Society, that one of the most important methods 

 by which they can befriend it, is to exert their personal 

 influence in enlarging the list of its subscribers. 



