302 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



T. W. Wilson, M. D., J. E. Bowman, Esq., W. W. How, Esq., 

 Rev. F. Thompson. 



The Earl of Mountnorris, the Rev. Canon Newling, of Lichfield, 

 and Dr. Charles Hastings, F.G.S., &c., of Worcester, were unani- 

 mously elected honorary members of the Society. 



The business of the meeting having been brought to a close, J. 

 JB. Williams, Esq., moved, and T. N. Parker, Esq., seconded, a vote 

 of thanks to Viscount Clive, for his admirable conduct in the chair, 

 which was carried unanimously. 



STAINES LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. 



In November, 1834, a few literary and scientific residents of 

 Staines and its vicinity, fully sensible of the advantages to be de- 

 rived by the formation of institutions for the promotion of science 

 and literature, decided upon the establishment of a Society, which was 

 opened January 1, 1835, by an able and eloquent address delivered 

 by the Rev. Dr. Jones,* explanatory of the objects of the society, 

 which was printed at the unanimous request of a crowded audience. 

 It is gratifying to observe that the encouragement received by this 

 body was mainly owing to the kindness of individuals in coming 

 forward to deliver gratuitous lectures. Amongst the earlier lec- 

 tures the following may be mentioned : — Opening address by the 

 Rev. Dr. Jones ; on the Antiquities of Egypt, by Mr. Stackhouse ; 

 on the Supporters of Combustion, by Mr. F. Curtis ; on Optics, by 

 Mr. W. B. Byng ; on the Antiquities of Britain, by Mr. Stackhouse ; 

 on Poetry, by the Rev. J. Hearn ; on Geology, by W. M. Higgins, 

 F.G.S. ; on Pneumatics, by Mr. Bennett ; and a concluding ad- 

 dress, by the Rev. Dr. Jones. Stimulated by the brilliant success 

 of the first season, which closed April 28, 1835, and animated by 

 the cheering prospects for the future, it was resolved to erect a 

 building for the use of the Institution, with a lecture room, library, 

 and museum, at an estimated expense of £1000, in shares of £25 

 each. The committee found, with pleasure, the support they ex- 

 pected realized ; all the shares were soon taken, plans for the build- 

 ing were procured, and the present beautiful edifice was erected. 



The season was opened in the new building, on January 1, 1836, 

 by a masterly introduction of the president, John Gibbons, Esq., 

 and an address by the Rev. Dr. Jones, which was followed by many 

 excellent speeches, from Col. Wood, M.P., G. S. Harcourt, Esq., 

 and Henry Pownall, Esq. Rules for the guidance of the Institu- 

 tion were subsequently framed, and are distributed gratis, upon ap- 

 plication. The lectures delivered during the second season, ending 



* This address, with two others, likewise delivered by Dr. Jones before 

 the same Society, have been printed in a separate form, and amply repay 

 perusal. — Eds. 



