330 



adopted, and when, in addition to that, they considered what they might 

 have had in the library and in the cabinet if the Soirees had not been held, he 

 thought the members generally would agree that the Committee were per- 

 fectly justified in trying to do without Soirees in the futm-e. 



Mr. Hopkins said he was a new member. He did not care anything 

 about a Soiree, but he came for instruction, and he had joined the Club be- 

 cause he heard that there was a good library. On his part he had there- 

 fore to thank the Committee for their decision. 



The President said that the remarks of Mi. Gilburt had so clearly set 

 forth tne views taken by the Committee that it was scarcely necessary for 

 him to add anything further on the subject. The matter had come before 

 the Committee, and had been well considered by them, and as the represen- 

 tatives of the members, and acting for them, it had been felt desirable not 

 to hold a Soiree. However enjoyable Soirees might be to large numbers of 

 the members and their friends, it had been felt that they were the means of 

 sacrificing funds which might have been more usefully employed. The 

 Committee were elected by the members as their representatives, and they 

 had come to this conclusion. The figures brought forward by Mr. Curties 

 were no doubt correct, but had they been laid before the Committee he did 

 not know that they would have caused them to modify their views, as the 

 general feeling seemed to be against Soirees. Some persons were no doubt 

 disappointed — he was himself disappointed — in not having had the oppor- 

 tunity of inviting a number of distinguished persons from outside to come 

 and see what they were doing, but he thought if they had special exhibition 

 meetings, similar to that which had been recently held, and if these were 

 held without ladies, who took up a good deal of room on the last occasion, 

 it would no doubt be found that such meetings would be very agreeable, and 

 perhaps more beneficial to the Club. 



The Pi'esident then put the motion for the adoption of the Report, which 

 was carried unanimously. 



Dr. G. D. Brown thought that what had been said did not answer the re- 

 marks of Mr. Curties, and asked if the Committee could not consider 

 whether they might not have some opportunities for meeting together for 

 exhibition of specimens ? 



The President said that it was their mtention to do so. 



The Annual Statement of Account was read by the Secretary, it 

 being explained, at the request of Mr. Hainworth, one of the au- 

 ditors, that, owing to the absence of Mr. Suffolk, it had not been 

 possible to verify the amount of stock standing to the credit of 

 the Club at the Bank of England, but that this would be done as soon as 

 possible after that gentleman's return. 



The adoption of the Treasurer's Report having been moved by Mr. Hardy, 

 and seconded by Mr. Emery, was put to the meeting and carried unani. 



mously. 



The President then rose to read the Annual Address, but regretted to have 

 to inform the members that, though he had written it and put it into hia 

 pocket on leaving home, it had disajjpeared en route to the meeting, and h e 



