THIRTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. 



The operations of a small community like the 

 Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society, with scanty 

 means at their disposal, cannot be very extensive, nor 

 of a kind likely to attract much public attention ; but 

 it is worthy of observation, that institutions having 

 for their object the unostentatious pursuit of science 

 often succeed best under a little obscurity. 



If your Council has no great undertaking to report, 

 they can congratulate the Society on the increasing 

 stability and vigour of their Institution. Compared 

 with its condition ten years ago, there is every reason 

 for present satisfaction and future hope. A few books 

 have been purchased, and the Council would have 

 willingly expended more to improve the collection of 

 Coast Fossils, had an opportunity occurred ; but they 

 thought it desirable to use a prudent economy, and 

 by every means, and as soon as possible, to liquidate 

 the debt on the Institution. Towards this object, 

 there is already a balance of £113 6s. 8d. in favour 

 of your Institution, so that with similar economy and 



