THE KSSKX FIELD CLUli. 7 1 



Other Mkmbeks of Councii.. — John Avery; Gen. B. R. Bnmfill, J. P., 

 C.C. ; Miller Christ)-, F.L.S. ; Bryan Corcoran ; L. Cr.mmer-Byng ; George 

 Day, F.R.M.S. ; Elm'unJ Durrani; F. W. Elliott ; A.J. Furbank ; F. Carruthers 

 Gould; Andrew Johnston, Chm. C.C, J. P., &c. ; Rev. W. C. Ilowell, M.A. ; 

 Rev. W. S. Lach-Szyrma. M.\. ; Thomas J. iMann ; Charles Oldham; J. H. 

 Porter ; J. C. SheastDne, F.R.M.S. ; J. C. Thresh, D.Sc, M.B. ; F. H. Varley, 

 F.R.A.S. ; T. Hay Wilson ; Rev. W. L. Wilson. 



Hon. Treasurer. — Alfred Lockyer. 



Hon. Secretary and Editor. — William Cole, F.E.S. ; Assistant Hon. 

 Secretary. — B. G. Cole 



Hon. Librarian. — A. P. Wire.] 



The Secretary read a letter from Dr. Laver, in which he apologized for his 

 inability to attend that evening, in consequence of professional engagements. 

 Dr. Laver added : " I esteem very highly the compliment the Club has paid me 

 in choosing me as President, and I will try to keep up during my year of office 

 the high character the society has obtained." 



Mr. Sworder proposed a vote of thanks to the officers and auditors, which 

 was carried unanimously. 



The Secretary presented the accounts of the 'Tea Fund" for 1891. The 

 receipts had been^^i i6s. lod., and the expenditure £^2 2s. 5d. 



Mr. Fitch then delivered an Address, of which the following is an abstract : — 



Presidential Address, delivered at the i2TH Annual Meeting. 

 By Edward A. Fitch, F.L.S., &c. 



\ Abstract. 'I , 



Mr. Fitch commenced by observing that, although it was usual in most Societies 

 of a like nature with their own for the President to deliver an address on some 

 matter of scientific interest, he was not at all sure that such a course was the best 

 that could be followed. He rather inclined to the opinion that the retiring 

 Presidents could most usefully employ the occasions of the Annual Meetings in 

 reviewing the events of the past sessions, and in suggesting lines of work for the 

 future. 



One of the most important matters at present engaging the attention of the 

 Club was the proposal to establish an Essex Local Museum. The question had 

 been fully considered at the last Annual Meeting, and an admirable scheme had 

 been agreed upon. As the result of the appeal for funds issued by the Joint 

 Committee of the Essex Field Club and the Chelmsford Museum, between ^^300 

 and ;^400 had been promised ; but the Committee were of opinion that actual 

 work could not be commenced until ^^i, 000 had been promised. But an opinion 

 was entertained by many members of the Club that the best way of attracting 

 pecuniary and other aid would be to commence active museum work at once, and, 

 speaking for himself, the more he considered the matter, the more he was in 

 favour of amalgamating with the Chelmsford Museum at once, and then making 

 a vigorous effort to raise the funds for the new building. While commencing active 

 museum work in the rooms at Chelmsford and showing the necessity for the new 

 departure that the Club is desirous of making — even in a small way and with 

 limited resources — he believed they could so demonstrate the nature of the col- 

 lections proposed to be formed that their efforts would be appreciated. 



The Chelmsford Museum had abaut 180 members, and the Club had about 400. 

 At present one did not move and the other did not move, but if they were amalga- 

 mated there would probably be a greater incentive to go on. Pending the erection 

 of a museum they could takeover the present mu>-eum building at Chelmsford, 

 and the good work might be at once begun. He thought they would then get 

 outside support, and be in a position to build a museum building beyond the 

 capabilities of the present premises. He read with very great regret the sugges- 

 tion by the Chairman of the Essex County Council that the county records should 



