THE COUNCIL. 15 



to witness the speedy and satisfactory completion of the 

 establishment. 



The account which has now been given of the state of the 

 Society's income, together with the fact, that in the two last 

 years no less than fifty-five new members have been 

 admitted, will afford a satisfactory proof to the Meeting, that 

 an Institution boldly erected on a scale of sufficient magni- 

 tude for the object which it proposed to accomplish, has 

 not failed to meet with a corresponding degree of liberal 

 and zealous support. The risk of failure may now be 

 considered as surmounted : the labour of the first arrange- 

 ments is drawing to a close. Other cares wait on the 

 future progress of the Society, which are of a more pleasing 

 and elevated kind. 



In looking to the future, it is gratifying to observe, that 

 those who shall hereafter take a share in administering its 

 affairs will have a smoother path to pursue. In reviewing the 

 past, the acknowledgments must not be forgotten which 

 are due to those who were first in the field: nor can the 

 Council conclude their Report without noticing with regret 

 the retirement of their coadjutor, the late senior Secretary, 

 from the office which he has so long discharged, and without 

 offering him the well earned tribute of their warmest thanks. 

 From the infancy of the Society he has borne a large share 

 of the burthen of its establishment, and has conducted its 

 concerns with the unremitting ardour and constancy which 

 such undertakings require. These disinterested exertions 

 have begun to find their reward in the present success of the 



