iv. Proceedings, [Novemher ist, 192 1. 



Ordinary Meeting, November ist, 192 1. 

 Mr. T. A. Coward, M.Sc, F.Z.vS., F.E.S. (President), followed 

 by Mr. R. L. Taylor, F.C.S., F.I.C. (Vice-President), in the 

 Chair. 



The President referred sympathetically to the death of Mr. 

 Herbert Porter, who had been an Ordinarj^ Member of the 

 Society since October 21st, 1919. 



A vote of thanks was passed to the donors of the books upon 

 the table. 



Professor Sydney J. Hickson, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.S., read a 

 paper entitled : — 



"Some Early Autographs of John Dalton." 



The first Document is the marriage certificate of John Hudson, 

 of Cockermouth, and Ann Fawcet, of Eaglesfield, of the people 

 " caled Quakers," on the 28th day of the first month " caled 

 Janevary " 1756. This is attested by Joseph Dalton, probably 

 the father of John Dalton, and by other friends. 



The second Document is the marriage certificate of William 

 Alderson and Sarah Hudson, also of the " people called 

 Quakers," both of Eaglesfield, on the 4th day of the sixth 

 month called June 1789. This is attested by John Dalton and 

 Deborah Dalton. At this time John Dalton was 23 years of age, 

 and it is evident that he signed both for himself and for his 

 mother, Deborah Dalton. 



In the list of other friends that have signed the document is 

 the name of Isaac Fearon, who was probably related to Abigail 

 Fearon, Dalton 's grandmother. 



Professor Hickson also exhibited a veiy interesting book, 

 entitled " The Schoolmaster's Assistant, being a Compendium 

 of Arithmetic," published in 1774. This book must have been 

 new when it came into John Dalton 's possession, for we see 

 written on the blank sheets at the beginning and end of the 

 book, " John Dalton's Arithmetic Book, April nth, 1775." 

 Although John Dalton was only 9 years old at this time there 

 seems to be no doubt that these words are in his own hand- 

 writing. 



Although the text of the book bears very few manuscript 

 notes and figures, the covers and blank sheets are covered with 

 what appear to be scribbles and flourishes. However, certain 

 interesting things can be deciphered such as : — 



" Henry Dalton begun to count 27 June 1803. 

 A. Dalton begun to write 8th day of June 1801." 



