THIRTY-SECOND REPOllT. 



On referring to the earliest records of this society, it 

 will appear that nearly 32 years have elapsed, since, by 

 the exertions of a small number of gentlemien of literary 

 tastes and pursuits, who were deeply impressed with 

 the importance of forming a Museum in Whitby — for 

 the establishment of which few places enjoyed greater 

 facilities, especially in the fossil department — the founda- 

 tion of your present institution was laid ; and amongst 

 the names of those who took a prominent part in its 

 organization, will be found that of Henry Belcher, 

 Esq,, who was chosen one of the first Vice-Presidents 

 of your society, an appointment he retained until the 

 year 1838, when on the resignation of the late Richard 

 Moorsom, Esq., the literary and philosophical attain- 

 ments of Mr. Belcher were recognised as fully qualify- 

 ing him to succeed to the President's chair, to which 

 he was unanimously elected. 



In presenting to the members of the society the re- 

 port of the last year's transactions, your council would 

 in the first instance, desire to record their sense of the 

 great loss the society has sustained by the death of Mr. 

 Belcher, who for 16 years presided over its delibera- 

 tions, and firom its formation to the day of his decease, 

 was one of its most zealous and liberal supporters, and 

 on which his refined tastes, and cultivated mind, ever 

 reflected honour and credit. 



