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Ordinary Meeting, December 30th, 1884. 



Dr. James Bottomley, Hon. Secretary, in the Chair. 



" Notes on the early history of the Manchester Literary 

 and Philosophical Society," by James Bottomley, D.Sc, 

 F.C.S. 



The recent work by Dr. Angus Smith has been the 

 means of accumulating much intelligence respecting the 

 early history of the Society, nevertheless there remains 

 information of interest to be gathered by those who are 

 inclined to glean in the same field. The references to the 

 two first presidents in Dr. Smith's work are brief and 

 unsatisfactory, and I know that he was anxious to have 

 more information relative to them. It is, however, some- 

 thing to have called attention to the existence of these 

 gentlemen, whose connection with the Society seems well 

 nigh to have been forgotten. It is a matter of regret that 

 of these two members, so closely associated with the origin 

 of the Society, we have no memorial either in the shape of 

 portrait or memoir. They were both useful citizens in the 

 town in which they resided in several capacities, both were 

 representatives of old Cheshire families, both lived to an 

 advanced age, indeed Dr. Mainwaring must have been 

 considerably past eighty when he assisted in the formation 

 of this Society ; it adds much to their local interest, that 

 both were intimate friends of Dr. John Byrom, who makes 

 frequent references to them in his journal. The high 

 esteem in which Dr. Mainwaring was held by the members 

 is testified by the following resolution, which I find in the 

 minute book of the Society : — 



1782, May 1st, Adjourned Annual Meeting. 



"It was resolved unanimously that the Members of the 

 Literary and Philosophical Society regard Dr. Main- 

 waring as the Father of their Institution, and wish 

 for the continuance of his sanction and support." 



