ANNUAL REPORT. 



37 



The Club was founded in the last months of 1879 by meetings called 

 together by Mr. W. Cole, and the issue of a very lar^^'e number of letters to 

 the leading inhabitants of the County. The original advertisements, 

 prospectuses, and the Rules were drawn up by Mr. Cole, and settled by the 

 late Charles Browne, M.A., who acted as the first Hon. Counsel to the Club. 

 The Inaugural Meeting took place on January loth, 1880, at the rooms of the 

 Epping Forest Art Classes, St. John's Villas, Buckhurst Hill. Mr. Meldola 

 was unanimously chosen as the first President, and it is in the recollection of 

 all the original members of the Club how much the Society owes to his 

 guidance and scientific knowledge. His address delivered at the first 

 Ordinary Meeting of the Club on February 28th, 1880, clearly laid down the 

 lines upon which the policy of the Club was founded, and since that period 

 Prof. Meldola has ever been ready with advice and assistance in the conduct 

 of the affairs of the Society. Mr. Meldola retained office for three years ; then 

 Prof. G. S. Boulger took the post of President for two years, to be succeeded 

 by Mr. T. V. Holmes, who filled the chair from 1885 to 1887. Mr. E. A. Fitch 

 was President for four years (1888 to 1891). Then Dr. Henry Laver served 

 for one year and Mr. Chancellor for two years. Mr. Howard was elected in 

 1895, ^nd consequently has filled ths office for six years. The Council most 

 gratefully acknowledge the great value of the services of these gentlemen ; 

 under their guidance the Club has maintained a high position among similar 

 societies. It is a matter of great satisfaction to say now that the Club is in a 

 fair way of accomplishing all the objects laid down in the original Kules and 

 in Prof. Meldola's Inaugural Address. 



Second only in importance to the President is the office of Treasurer, and 

 the Club has been fortunate in securing the services of gentlemen who have 

 given much time and labour to its arduous duties. Mr. H. J. Barnes was 

 the first Treasurer, acting during 1800 and 1881 ; then Mr. Andrew Johnston 

 held the office during five years from 1882 to 1886 ; Mr. Thomas Royle acted 

 during 1887 and 1888. Then Mr. A. Lockyer was Treasurer for seven years 

 from 1889 to 1895, and in 1896 Mr. Waller took the office which he resigns 

 to-night, after acting for six years. 



Mr. W. Cole was the first Honorary Secretary. It may be noted that he 

 has attended in this capacity every Meeting and Committee Meeting of the 

 Club, with the exception of three Field Meetings, once through illness and 

 the others from business connected with his duties under the County Council. 

 Mr. Cole has also edited the Club's publications from the beginning and has 

 reported every Meeting in full in the publications of the Club and in the 

 Minute Books. 



Mr. B. G. Cole has served as Assistant Hon. Secretary since his first 

 election in 1882, and on him has mainly fallen the trying and sometimes 

 unpleasant task of conducting the business details of our numerous Field 

 Meetings. 



The Club owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. A. Lockyer, who was the first 

 Librarian, and who inaugurated the system of exchange of publications with 

 other societies. He served in this capacity until 1886. In 1887 Mr. Wire 

 took the office and 1893 was joined by Mr. E. Durrant. Mr. Lockyer acted 

 in i88q and 1890. Mr. W. C. Waller acted as one of the Librarians during 



