16 REPORT OF 



Institution : and whilst in new hands it continues to prosper 

 more and more, its early friends will still view it with in- 

 creased satisfaction, rising in reputation from year to year, 

 improving its resources, augmenting its acquisitions, and 

 extending the sphere of its activity. Nor will they have 

 cause to regret any time or labour which they have ever 

 bestowed upon it, if it shall eventually accomplish the two 

 great ends for which it was founded ; — the erection of a 

 well-supported school of science in this northern metro- 

 polis, and the execution of such a history of Yorkshire 

 as the antiquary and the natural historian may be contented 

 to possess. 



After reading the Report, the President said: — 



" That objects so comprehensive as those which had been 

 stated in the conclusion of the Report, could only be eflfected 

 by a COUNTY institution; and to this character the Society 

 might now justly lay claim, having members and contribu- 

 tors in all parts of Yorkshire, and being possessed of a 

 commensurate establishment. On one point, however, it 

 was still defective ; to complete the plan of such an Institu- 

 tion, it remained for the Meeting to choose a president, 

 who, adding to ardour for the objects of the Society, the 

 influence of rank and property, might be at once a zealous 

 director of its course, and a powerful guardian of its interests. 

 During the period of its first struggle for existence, the 

 choice of a President was limited, by the pressure of business, 

 within a narrow compass ; and contiguity of residence was 



